“We’re done”: 50 passengers injured after LATAM flight loses altitude

“We’re done”: 50 passengers injured after LATAM flight loses altitude
By Zach Havard


A loss of altitude on board a LATAM Airlines flight between Sydney and Auckland last night has resulted in at least 50 injuries to passengers who have been described as flying to the ceiling of the plane.

The Chilean carrier’s flight LA800 suffered a technical issue which caused the plane to suddenly dip in altitude. The event prompted a major emergency service response to the airport where St. John Ambulance crews treated approximately 50 patients at the scene.

A passenger on board the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner spoke to 2GB’s Ben Fordham Tuesday morning.

“(People) just flew to the ceiling of the plane and bounced off the roof and fell down to the floor and were thrown everywhere, it was chaos,” Brain Jokat said on air.

“I felt like I was watching a movie quite frankly, it was that surreal.

“There were a lot of people in pain, neck injuries, rib injuries, cuts.

“The top of the plane was broken in several places, people went right through the roof and you could see the inner workings of the plane inside.”

Jokat said a number of doctors onboard the flight jumped at the situation and begun to treat fellow passengers and described the horror of the last 45 minutes on board the flight.

“I had thought for the first time that this was it, we’re done,” Jokat said.

One ‘X’ user captured the aftermath:

A LATAM Airlines spokesperson said three cabin crew were taken to Middlemore Hospital for further checks.

“LATAM deeply regrets any inconvenience and discomfort this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a priority within the framework of its operational standards,” the spokesperson said.

Featured image: Scenes onboard the flight – Brian Jokat

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]