New Zealand to seize black boxes from Auckland-bound Boeing flight that ‘flew’ passengers around
After passengers underwent a harrowing in-flight experience on an Auckland-bound Boeing aircraft, New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission said on Tuesday it was seizing the cockpit voice recorder of LATAM Airlines flight LA800. At least 50 people were left injured on Monday after the plane suffered “technical problems” causing “strong movements” as it flew from Sydney to Auckland.
The airline and passengers aboard the flight said the plane with 263 passengers and nine crew members on board dropped abruptly mid-air.
Chilean authorities have confirmed the opening of a probe into the incident with the assistance of the New Zealand accident investigator.
The investigation will fall under Chilean authority as the incident occurred in international airspace.
LATAM is based in Chile and the flight was due to continue to Santiago after stopping in Auckland.
“TAIC is in the process of gathering evidence relevant to the inquiry, including seizing the cockpit voice and flight data recorders,” the New Zealand agency said, referring to the so-called “black boxes” that will provide more information on the flight’s trajectory and communications between pilots.
DGAC said in a statement it was working with TAIC on the investigation.
Although LATAM is yet to confirm whether it has provided TAIC with the black boxes, The airline said earlier on Tuesday it would assist the relevant authorities in any investigation into the “strong shake” during the flight.
While the exact cause of the mishap is not known, safety experts say most airplane accidents are caused by a cocktail of factors that need to be thoroughly investigated.
New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement it would also assist in the investigation if required.
The has been renewed debate over the length of cockpit recordings in the aviation industry since it was revealed voice recorder data on the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet that lost a panel mid-flight in January was overwritten.
