LATAM Airlines Flight 800#Accident

{{Infobox aircraft occurrence

| name = LATAM Airlines Flight 800

| image = 38461-CC-BGG-B7879-MAD-4'23.jpg

| caption = The aircraft involved in the accident pictured in 2023

| occurrence_type = Accident

| date = 11 March 2024

| summary = In-flight upset

| site = Tasman Sea, west of Auckland, New Zealand

| coordinates = {{coord|37|3|55|S|168|3|46|E|}}

| aircraft_type = Boeing 787-9

| operator = LATAM Airlines

| IATA = LA800

| ICAO = LAN800

| callsign = LAN CHILE 800

| tail_number = CC-BGG

| origin = Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney, Australia

| stopover = Auckland Airport, Auckland, New Zealand

| destination = Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, Santiago, Chile

| occupants = 272

| passengers = 263

| crew = 9

| fatalities = 0

| injuries = 50

| survivors = 272

}}

On 11 March 2024, a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 operating as LATAM Airlines Flight 800, flying a scheduled international passenger flight from Sydney, Australia to Santiago, Chile, with a stopover at Auckland, New Zealand, experienced an in-flight upset around two hours into the first leg of the flight. Of the 272 people on board, 50 were injured, with 12 taken to hospital after landing in Auckland.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/world/australia/auckland-sydney-flight-latam.html |title='Strong Movement' on Flight to New Zealand Leaves Dozens Injured |date=11 March 2024 |last1=Zhuang |first1=Zan |last2=Frost |first2=Natasha |work=The New York Times |access-date=11 March 2024 |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404075427/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/world/australia/auckland-sydney-flight-latam.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=11 March 2024 |title=Fifty hurt as NZ-bound flight hit by 'technical' issue |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68488418 |access-date=12 March 2024 |work=BBC |language=en-GB |archive-date=25 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325213545/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68488418 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Visontay |first1=Elias |last2=Corlett |first2=Eva |date=12 March 2024 |title='Felt like an earthquake': passengers recall moment of terror on Latam flight as investigation launched |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/12/latam-airlines-flight-injuries-technical-problems-plane-drop-new-zealand-sydney-to-auckland |access-date=12 March 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404012228/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/12/latam-airlines-flight-injuries-technical-problems-plane-drop-new-zealand-sydney-to-auckland |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=12 March 2024 |orig-date=2024-03-11 |title=Accident: LATAM Chile B789 over Tasman Sea on Mar 11th 2024, upset injures 12 |url=https://avherald.com/h?article=51601631&opt=0 |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=The Aviation Herald |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324020323/https://avherald.com/h?article=51601631&opt=0 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Accident Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner CC-BGG |url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/354285 |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=Aviation Safety Network |archive-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312225251/https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/354285 |url-status=live }}

Aircraft

The aircraft was a Boeing 787-9, MSN 38461, registered as CC-BGG, that was manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in 2015. It first flew around December 2015 and was equipped with two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.{{Cite web |title=Accident Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner CC-BGG, Monday 11 March 2024 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/354285 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=asn.flightsafety.org |archive-date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730025915/https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/354285 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-30 |title=CC-BGG - LATAM Airlines Chile |url=https://www.flightera.net/en/planes/CC-BGG |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Flightera |language=en}}

The aircraft had operated the outbound flight, LA801, from Santiago to Sydney via Auckland.{{Cite web |last= |title=Live Flight Tracker – Real-Time Flight Tracker Map |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/cc-bgg |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=Flightradar24 |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316010815/https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/cc-bgg |url-status=live }} After the incident, the onward leg to Santiago was cancelled. The aircraft remained in Auckland until 14 March, when it returned to Santiago.{{Cite web |date=14 March 2024 |title=Four still in hospital as focus of investigation into plummeting Latam flight revealed |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/350212664/four-still-hospital-focus-investigation-plummeting-latam-flight-revealed |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=www.stuff.co.nz |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314063543/https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/350212664/four-still-hospital-focus-investigation-plummeting-latam-flight-revealed |url-status=live }}

Accident

LATAM Airlines Flight 800 departed from Sydney Airport at 11:44 AEDT (00:44 UTC), climbing to cruise at flight level 410 (equal to {{convert|41000|ft|m|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}).

While the flight was over the Tasman Sea, around two hours into the flight and one hour away from Auckland, the aircraft dropped suddenly. In a few seconds, the plane lost over {{Convert|300|ft|4=-1|abbr=on}} of altitude. People and objects that were not restrained were thrown upwards, with around 30 to 40 people hitting the ceiling of the cabin, damaging multiple ceiling panels.{{Cite news |date=12 March 2024 |title=New details from Sydney-Auckland LATAM flight revealed |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/new-footage-on-board-latam-plane-flight-sydney-to-auckland/f13ebfe6-b7ba-4108-aeda-7e96fd9d6350 |access-date=12 March 2024 |work=Nine News |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314042324/https://www.9news.com.au/national/new-footage-on-board-latam-plane-flight-sydney-to-auckland/f13ebfe6-b7ba-4108-aeda-7e96fd9d6350 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-15 |title=LATAM pilot told those on board 'he temporarily lost control of Boeing 787' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/latam-airlines-boeing-787-pilot-b2512392.html |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315102429/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/latam-airlines-boeing-787-pilot-b2512392.html |url-status=live }} One passenger said it felt "like an earthquake", and another recalled being thrown back four to five seat rows.{{Cite web |last=Leff |first=Gary |date=11 March 2024 |title='A Rollercoaster Nosedive in the Sky': Passengers Hit Ceiling On LATAM Flight 800 from Sydney to Auckland |url=https://viewfromthewing.com/a-rollercoaster-nosedive-in-the-sky-passengers-hit-ceiling-on-latam-flight-800-from-sydney-to-auckland/ |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=View from the Wing |language=en-US |archive-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312165235/https://viewfromthewing.com/a-rollercoaster-nosedive-in-the-sky-passengers-hit-ceiling-on-latam-flight-800-from-sydney-to-auckland/ |url-status=live }}

The aircraft continued to Auckland as scheduled, landing at 16:26 NZDT (03:26 UTC). Medical staff boarded the plane at Auckland Airport and treated the wounded, tending to 50 people, with reports of cuts and bruises, head and neck injuries, and broken bones. Twelve people were transported to the hospital, including one person in a serious condition.{{Cite web |date=11 March 2024 |title=LATAM Airlines Sydney to Auckland flight: 50 people treated after mid-air incident |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/511423/latam-airlines-sydney-to-auckland-flight-50-people-treated-after-mid-air-incident |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403070258/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/511423/latam-airlines-sydney-to-auckland-flight-50-people-treated-after-mid-air-incident |url-status=live }} Four people were still hospitalised as of 14 March 2024.

Investigation

As the incident occurred on a Chilean-registered aircraft over international waters, the Chilean Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) is responsible for investigating the incident, and began an inquiry on 12 March 2024. The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is assisting in the inquiry. The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the aircraft were recovered by the TAIC, but their contents have not yet been released.{{Cite news |last1=Visontay |first1=Elias |last2=Corlett |first2=Eva |date=11 March 2024 |title=Cockpit and flight data gathered as investigation launched into Latam mid-air plane drop |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/12/latam-airlines-flight-injuries-technical-problems-plane-drop-new-zealand-sydney-to-auckland |access-date=11 March 2024 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404012228/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/12/latam-airlines-flight-injuries-technical-problems-plane-drop-new-zealand-sydney-to-auckland |url-status=live }}

A passenger reported a pilot told them after landing that the instruments in the cockpit went blank when the plane fell, then came back online a few seconds later.{{Cite news |date=12 March 2024 |title=Passenger on Boeing flight that suddenly dropped says pilot told him he lost control after instrument failure |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/12/australia/latam-airlines-flight-injuries-new-zealand-tuesday-intl-hnk/index.html |work=CNN |archive-date=16 March 2024 |access-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316020355/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/12/australia/latam-airlines-flight-injuries-new-zealand-tuesday-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=What happened on Latam flight LA800 that threw passengers around the cabin? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/350209492/what-happened-latam-flight-la800-threw-passengers-around-cabin |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=www.stuff.co.nz |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315152655/https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/350209492/what-happened-latam-flight-la800-threw-passengers-around-cabin |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Four still in hospital as focus of investigation into plummeting Latam flight revealed |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/350212664/four-still-hospital-focus-investigation-plummeting-latam-flight-revealed |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=www.stuff.co.nz |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314063543/https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/350212664/four-still-hospital-focus-investigation-plummeting-latam-flight-revealed |url-status=live }} It has also been reported that the inadvertent movement of a pilot's seat possibly caused the incident. A flight attendant could somehow have activated a covered rocker switch on the back of the pilot's seat. If the cover was loose, pressing on it would be enough to activate the switch underneath when it otherwise normally would not have. The activation of this switch would have slowly moved the seat forward into the control yoke, resulting in the nose down attitude, disengaging the autopilot, according to US industry officials.{{Cite news |last1=Nerkar |first1=Santul |last2=Ember |first2=Sydney |date=2024-03-15 |title=Boeing Directs Airlines to Check Cockpit Seats on 787s After Latam Incident |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/15/business/boeing-787-dreamliner-cockpit-seat-latam.html |access-date=2024-03-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316005014/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/15/business/boeing-787-dreamliner-cockpit-seat-latam.html |url-status=live }}

= Preliminary report =

On 19 April 2024, the DGAC released their preliminary report regarding the accident. That investigation claimed that the captain's seat had involuntarily moved forward and that weather was not a factor.{{cite web |title=Informe preliminar del suceso de aviación n°2052-24 de fecha 11 de Marzo de 2024 |url=https://www.dgac.gob.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SUCESO-DE-AVIACION-N%C2%B02052-24-V.2.pdf |publisher=Directorate General of Civil Aviation (Chile) |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411170729/https://www.dgac.gob.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SUCESO-DE-AVIACION-N%C2%B02052-24-V.2.pdf |archive-date=11 April 2024 |url-status=live |language=Spanish}}

Reactions

Boeing responded to the incident by stating "We are working to gather more information about the flight and will provide any support needed by our customers". The accident followed increased criticisms of Boeing for multiple in-flight problems on their aircraft.{{Cite news |last1=Timsit |first1=Annabelle |last2=Masih |first2=Niha |last3=Bellware |first3=Kim |date=11 March 2024 |title=50 people injured after plane's 'nosedive' on flight to New Zealand |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2024/03/11/latam-airlines-flight-boeing-australia-new-zealand/ |access-date=12 March 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=11 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311184035/https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2024/03/11/latam-airlines-flight-boeing-australia-new-zealand/ |url-status=live }}

LATAM Airlines apologized for the incident, stating, "We regret the inconvenience and injury this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a priority within the framework of its operational standards".{{Cite news |last1=Dubé |first1=Ryan |last2=Hoyle |first2=Rhiannon |title=Incident on Latam Flight Injures Dozens Aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliner |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/dozens-injured-on-latam-airlines-flight-after-technical-event-with-boeing-787-dreamliner-b656b58c |access-date=12 March 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331185859/https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/dozens-injured-on-latam-airlines-flight-after-technical-event-with-boeing-787-dreamliner-b656b58c |url-status=live }}

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the incident in an undisclosed message, and in return Boeing released a statement regarding the flight, quoting "Based on the FAA audit, our quality stand downs and the recent expert panel report, we continue to implement immediate changes and develop a comprehensive action plan to strengthen safety and quality, and build the confidence of our customers and their passengers".{{Cite news |last=Goldman |first=David |date=12 March 2024 |title=Boeing is in big trouble |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/12/investing/boeing-is-in-big-trouble/index.html |access-date=12 March 2024 |work=CNN |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403195629/https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/12/investing/boeing-is-in-big-trouble/index.html |url-status=live }}

In response to the report of an issue with a seat switch being the likely cause of the accident, Boeing issued a memo reminding airlines of instructions issued in 2017 to inspect the cockpit chairs of 787 aircraft for loose switches. Boeing warned that closing a seat back switch cover onto a loose rocker switch could "potentially jam the rocker switch, resulting in unintended seat movement".{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Callum |date=2024-03-15 |title=Boeing cockpit seat switch mishap reportedly led to Latam flight incident |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/15/boeing-cockpit-seat-switch-latam-flight |access-date=2024-03-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/aeronautique/boeing-rappelle-aux-compagnies-d-inspecter-des-boutons-de-cockpit-des-787-dreamliners_6428089.html|title=Boeing rappelle aux compagnies d'inspecter des boutons de cockpit des 787 Dreamliners|date=16 March 2024|website=Franceinfo|access-date=1 April 2024|archive-date=1 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401003017/https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/aeronautique/boeing-rappelle-aux-compagnies-d-inspecter-des-boutons-de-cockpit-des-787-dreamliners_6428089.html|url-status=live}}

In August of 2024 the Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive that asked for the inspection of the seat switches on the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 variants of the Dreamliner.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/525651/us-authority-adopts-safety-directive-for-boeing-after-auckland-flight|title=US authority adopts safety directive for Boeing after Auckland flight|date=20 August 2024|website=RNZ|access-date=2 May 2025|archive-date=|archive-url=}}