Passengers and crew aboard a LATAM flight from Sydney to Auckland experienced a frightening incident as the plane suddenly dropped, causing injuries. The flight, LA800, encountered unexpected turbulence leading to a major emergency response upon its arrival at Auckland International Airport.
During the flight, passengers and crew were thrust into the ceiling due to the plane’s rapid loss of altitude. Priscilla Waller-Subritzky, a passenger, described the chaos onboard as the incident unfolded with about an hour left to their destination, reported New Zealand Herald.
Responding to the incident, fourteen units from Hato Hone St John provided medical treatment at the airport. Approximately 50 individuals received care, with injuries ranging from serious to minor, leading to hospitalizations at Middlemore, Auckland City, and Starship Hospitals.
Another passenger, Daniel, recounted the terrifying moment the plane nosedived, causing panic among those onboard. The aftermath saw passengers and cabin interiors covered in what was uncertain if it was red wine or blood.
A LATAM Airlines spokesperson confirmed that three crew members were hospitalized but reported no serious injuries. The airline expressed regret over the incident and reassured its commitment to passenger safety and comfort.
Following the ordeal, LATAM rescheduled a connecting flight to Santiago, Chile, and arranged food and accommodation for affected passengers. Auckland Airport and local police supported the emergency response, with additional ambulances dispatched to the scene.
Passengers shared harrowing accounts, including Brian Jokat’s comparison of the experience to a scene from “The Exorcist.” Injuries included broken ribs and head trauma, with some passengers sustaining broken bones.
The pilot later explained to passengers that the incident was caused by a temporary loss of instrumentation, expressing his regret for the ordeal. Despite the fear and injuries, the community on board came together, with doctors among the passengers providing immediate care.
