“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

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