New Zealand seizes black boxes from LATAM Boeing 787 as passengers recall incident
March 12, 2024 – 2:58 AM PDT
SYDNEY (Reuters) – New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission announced on Tuesday that it had taken possession of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 following an incident that resulted in over 50 injuries.
The airline and passengers on the Sydney-Auckland flight reported that the plane, carrying 263 passengers and nine crew members, experienced a sudden drop in mid-air.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw my neighbor, who was sitting two seats away from me, floating on the ceiling. I thought I was dreaming,” said Brian Adam Jokat, a Canadian citizen residing in the UK who was traveling on the plane.
Jokat captured photos showing the damage to the airplane’s ceiling, caused by fellow passengers hitting it.
The New Zealand accident investigator revealed that Chilean authorities had initiated an investigation into the flight, and they were providing assistance.
A spokesperson for TAIC explained that since the incident occurred in international airspace, the Chilean accident investigation authority, Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC), was responsible for conducting the inquiry.
LATAM, based in Chile, had planned for the flight to continue to Santiago after the stop in Auckland.
“TAIC is currently gathering evidence for the inquiry, including the retrieval of the cockpit voice and flight data recorders,” stated the New Zealand agency, referring to the crucial “black boxes” that will provide more information about the flight’s trajectory and pilot communications.
DGAC, in a statement, confirmed its collaboration with TAIC in the investigation.
LATAM has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the handover of the black boxes to TAIC. However, the airline did express its willingness to cooperate with the relevant authorities in investigating the “strong shake” experienced during the flight.
The cause of the sudden change in the flight’s trajectory remains unexplained. Safety experts emphasize the need for a thorough investigation, as most airplane accidents are the result of multiple factors.
New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority also pledged its assistance in the investigation, if required.
Recent discussions within the aviation industry have focused on the length of cockpit recordings, following the revelation that voice recorder data on the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet, which lost a panel mid-flight in January, had been overwritten.
Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Jamie Freed
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How will the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, or “black boxes,” help in understanding the trajectory and pilot communications during the incident?
New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission Takes Possession of Black Boxes After Incident on LATAM Airlines Boeing 787
March 12, 2024 – 2:58 AM PDT
SYDNEY (Reuters) – New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission announced on Tuesday that it had taken possession of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 following an incident that resulted in over 50 injuries.
The airline and passengers on the Sydney-Auckland flight reported that the plane, carrying 263 passengers and nine crew members, experienced a sudden drop in mid-air.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw my neighbor, who was sitting two seats away from me, floating on the ceiling. I thought I was dreaming,” said Brian Adam Jokat, a Canadian citizen residing in the UK who was traveling on the plane.
Jokat captured photos showing the damage to the airplane’s ceiling, caused by fellow passengers hitting it.
The New Zealand accident investigator revealed that Chilean authorities had initiated an investigation into the flight, and they were providing assistance.
A spokesperson for TAIC explained that since the incident occurred in international airspace, the Chilean accident investigation authority, Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC), was responsible for conducting the inquiry.
LATAM, based in Chile, had planned for the flight to continue to Santiago after the stop in Auckland.
“TAIC is currently gathering evidence for the inquiry, including the retrieval of the cockpit voice and flight data recorders,” stated the New Zealand agency, referring to the crucial “black boxes” that will provide more information about the flight’s trajectory and pilot communications.
DGAC, in a statement, confirmed its collaboration with TAIC in the investigation.
LATAM has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the handover of the black boxes to TAIC. However, the airline did express its willingness to cooperate with the relevant authorities in investigating the “strong shake” experienced during the flight.
The cause of the sudden change in the flight’s trajectory remains unexplained. Safety experts emphasize the need for a thorough investigation, as most airplane accidents are the result of multiple factors.
New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority also pledged its assistance in the investigation, if required.
In conclusion, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the incident on the LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 to determine the cause of the sudden drop and ensure the safety of future flights. The collaboration between New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission and Chilean authorities showcases the importance of international cooperation in aviation accident investigations. The retrieval of the black boxes, along with other evidence, will be key in understanding what happened during the flight. It is hoped that through this investigation, any potential contributing factors can be identified and preventive measures can be implemented to enhance aviation safety in the future.
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