In a recent incident on a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a cockpit accident led to a terrifying drop during a flight to New Zealand. According to The Wall Street Journal, industry officials believe a flight attendant accidentally activated a switch on the pilot’s seat, causing the pilot to be pushed into the controls and sending the plane into a nose dive.
Passengers onboard described a chaotic scene, with some being thrown from their seats and bouncing off the ceiling. As a result, at least 50 passengers sustained injuries during the sudden descent. Despite the chaos, the pilot managed to regain control of the aircraft, and the plane was able to land safely in Auckland, New Zealand.
Following the incident, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission in New Zealand has taken charge of the investigation, with support from authorities in Chile and Boeing. It is believed that Boeing will be issuing a memo related to the seat switch that may have caused the accident.
This alarming incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and proper training for airline staff. As authorities work to determine the exact cause of the accident, passengers can take comfort in knowing that steps are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
