Inbound Latam Flight Incident: 50 Treated After Mid-Flight Turbulence Causes Injuries

Fifty individuals received medical attention, with 13 hospitalized, following an unexpected incident during the inbound Latam flight from Sydney to Auckland. The event, described as a “strong movement” mid-flight, resulted in passengers being abruptly thrown within the aircraft.

Responding to a call at 3:58 pm local time on Monday, Hato Hone St John Ambulance issued a statement regarding the incident at Auckland International Airport. Five ambulances, a major incident support team vehicle, two rapid response vehicles, and various senior personnel were deployed to attend to approximately 50 injured passengers. Medical crews assessed and treated the individuals, with one person in serious condition and most sustaining moderate to minor injuries. Thirteen patients were transported to Middlemore Hospital by ambulance.

A passenger recounted that, roughly two hours into the three-hour flight, the plane unexpectedly “dropped out of the sky,” causing passengers to be thrown from their seats, some even hitting the ceiling. Brian Jokat, a passenger, shared his experience with local media, stating, “The whole plane is screaming. The plane then started taking a nose dive, and I was just thinking, ‘OK, this is it, we’re done.'”

According to a Latam spokesperson, the incident was attributed to a “technical problem” causing “strong movement.” The flight, en route to Santiago, Chile, made a scheduled stop in New Zealand. The spokesperson assured that immediate assistance was provided to affected passengers and cabin crew upon landing at Auckland airport. Latam expressed regret for any inconvenience and injuries caused, emphasizing its commitment to prioritizing safety within its operational standards.