Passenger Recounts Terrifying Experience on Boeing Flight Amid Instrument Failure

The pilot of a scary flight from Australia to New Zealand shared with passengers that he had a temporary loss of control of the Boeing 787 when one of its instruments failed. This incident caused a sudden drop that threw travelers around the cabin, resulting in injuries to dozens of people.

The event occurred on LATAM Airlines flight 800 from Sydney to Auckland, adding to the challenges faced by Boeing, a manufacturer with a history of quality and safety problems.

Passenger Brian Jokat woke up from his sleep to a horrifying moment when the aircraft suddenly dropped around 500 feet. He described seeing people at the top of the plane, stuck to the roof, and then falling to the floor. Talking to CNN's Erin Burnett, he realized that it wasn't a movie, but a real-life situation.

After arriving in Auckland, Jokat recounted how the pilot checked on the passengers and honestly shared that he had experienced a temporary loss of control of the jet.

"I quickly asked him, 'What happened?' And he candidly confessed, saying, 'I lost control of the plane. My gauges suddenly went blank on me,'" Jokat recalled.

"He mentioned that for a short moment, he felt like he had no control over the plane, which resulted in the unexpected maneuver. However, the gauges quickly returned to normal and the plane resumed its regular flight pattern. Fortunately, there were no issues prior to or following the incident."

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, belonging to Chile's national airline, as reported by FlightAware, a website that tracks flight information.

LATAM announced on Monday that the plane experienced a technical issue during the flight, resulting in a sudden movement. Despite this, the aircraft landed safely in Auckland as planned.

Boeing, in response to the incident, stated to CNN on Tuesday that they are actively collecting more details about the flight and are ready to offer any necessary assistance to their customer.

Around 50 individuals were hurt in the accident, and one person is currently in serious condition, according to emergency services.

Jokat shared that he was scared for his life when he witnessed other passengers being thrown out of their seats and hitting the plane's ceiling.

"People were screaming and crying," he said. "And yeah, it was mass chaos for a few short seconds. Clearly there was a moment in my head that I just kind of resigned to the fact this could be it. This might be it."

About 50 people were injured in the incident, according to emergency services in Auckland.

About 50 people were injured in the incident, according to emergency services in Auckland.

Dean Purcell/AP

Boeing’s troubles

As investigators scramble to discover what might have caused the sudden drop, the incident comes at a fraught time for Boeing.

The US manufacturer has been heavily criticized for a number of quality and safety problems in recent years. Critics argue that the company has prioritized financial results over safety and quality in its aircraft.

These issues have included two fatal crashes of the 737 Max jet caused by a design flaw, frequent delivery delays due to quality control problems, and a recent incident where a door plug blew off a new 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines in January, resulting in a large hole in the side of the plane.

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration in February flagged safety issues with engine anti-ice systems on the 737 Max and larger 787 Dreamliner.

Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft outside the company's manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington, US, on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft outside the company's manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington, US, on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

David Ryder/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Related article

FAA finds ‘multiple instances’ of Boeing quality control issues

The safety regulator is allowing both models of the plane to continue flying despite potential problems. This indicates that the agency and plane maker do not consider the issues serious enough to ground the planes immediately. Both problems are going through the FAA's usual process for developing airworthiness directives, rather than an emergency procedure.

The FAA has given Boeing until late May to come up with a plan to address issues highlighted in a federal audit and other assessments. These include a safety culture survey of employees and a separate panel report that revealed concerns among workers about facing retaliation for reporting safety issues.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker is anticipating a comprehensive plan from the company within the next 90 days to address the quality concerns. Boeing has confirmed that they are currently addressing the issues highlighted by Whitaker.

CNN’s Pete Muntean, Greg Wallace and Chris Isidore contributed reporting.

Editor's P/S:

The recent incident on a LATAM Airlines flight from Australia to New Zealand, where a sudden drop caused injuries to dozens of passengers, serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of safety in aviation. The pilot's temporary loss of control due to an instrument failure highlights the potential risks associated with aircraft malfunction. While the incident did not result in fatalities, it raises concerns about Boeing's recent history of quality and safety issues, including fatal crashes and delivery delays.

As investigators delve into the cause of the sudden drop, it is crucial that Boeing, the FAA, and other aviation authorities prioritize safety above all else. Thorough investigations, rigorous quality control measures, and transparent communication with the public are essential to maintain confidence in the safety of air travel. The FAA's ongoing review of Boeing's quality concerns should ensure that the company addresses these issues swiftly and effectively. The aviation industry has a collective responsibility to learn from past mistakes and implement measures that prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.