Seize the black box for investigation

At least 50 people were injured when a Boeing 787 operated by LATAM Airlines suddenly lost altitude during a flight from Sydney to Auckland on March 11.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with flight number LA800, operated by LATAM Airlines (Chile) for about 8 years, suddenly lost altitude mid-flight from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand on March 11.

Thu giữ hộp đen chiếc máy bay của LATAM Airlines giảm độ cao đột ngột khiến 50 người bị thương

A technical problem occurred with a Boeing 787 operated by LATAM Airlines. Photo: Simple Flying

The flight was carrying 263 passengers and nine crew members. The plane landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled on the afternoon of March 11.

One person is in a serious condition while 50 others have suffered minor to moderate injuries, according to a spokesman for Hato Hone St John, the ambulance service.

The cause of LATAM 800's sudden change in trajectory could not be immediately determined. Safety experts say most plane crashes are caused by multiple factors that require thorough investigation.

Boeing, the world's largest aircraft manufacturer, said it was working to gather more information and would provide all support to the airline. Boeing shares fell about 3% after the incident. The head of the US Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Whitaker, said the agency would closely monitor and work with the Australian or New Zealand authorities to investigate because the plane was made in the US.

Most recently, on Tuesday morning (March 12), the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said they were confiscating the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of LATAM Airlines, Boeing 787 after the incident that injured more than 50 people.

A New Zealand crash investigator said Chilean authorities had confirmed an investigation into the flight and were providing support to the investigation.

“The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission is in the process of collecting evidence relevant to the investigation, including the cockpit voice and flight data recorders,” New Zealand authorities said, adding that the black boxes would provide more information about the flight trajectory and communications between the pilots.

LATAM Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether it would hand over the black boxes to TAIC. The airline has previously said it would assist authorities in any investigation.

Khanh Ly (synthesis)