An incredible accident occurred on board a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, almost leading to tragedy.
The pilot’s involuntary action caused the Boeing 787 to dive violently. As a result, several dozen passengers were injured.
The incident occurred on March 11, 2024, but its cause became known only at the end of the week. According to preliminary findings by experts, a stewardess appeared in the cockpit to serve the pilots lunch. In the cramped cabin, she accidentally pressed the seat position switch. The commander, who did not expect the sharp push, pressed the control stick hard and the plane fell down.
After a few seconds, the commander regained control of the ship, but this time was enough to scare the passengers to death. One of the tourists told the media that his neighbour was first thrown onto the ceiling of the cabin, and then fell with his ribs onto the armrest of the chair. A passenger who was in the toilet at the time was also very unlucky.
About 50 of the 263 passengers and nine cabin crew were injured. After landing in New Zealand, they received medical assistance. Fortunately, the next day only four of them remained in the hospital.
The event, which occurred in the skies over Australia, prompted Boeing to issue an urgent reminder to secure cockpit seat switch covers and instructions to cut off power to pilots’ electric seats.
