The black box was seized for investigation.

At least 50 people were injured when a Boeing 787 operated by LATAM Airlines suddenly lost altitude during a flight from Sydney to Auckland on March 11.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, flight number LA800, operated by LATAM Airlines (Chile) for about eight years, experienced a sudden drop in altitude mid-flight from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand on March 11th.

Thu giữ hộp đen chiếc máy bay của LATAM Airlines giảm độ cao đột ngột khiến 50 người bị thương

A technical issue occurred with the Boeing 787 operated by LATAM Airlines. Photo: Simple Flying

The flight carried 263 passengers and 9 crew members. The plane landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled on the afternoon of March 11th.

According to a spokesperson for Hato Hone St John, the ambulance service provider, one person is in serious condition while 50 others sustained minor to moderate injuries.

The cause of the sudden change in LATAM 800's trajectory could not be immediately determined. Safety experts say that most aircraft accidents are due to multiple factors that require thorough investigation.

Boeing, the world's largest aircraft manufacturer, said it is working to gather more information and will provide all possible support to the airline. Boeing shares fell about 3% following the incident. The head of the US Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Whitaker, said the agency would closely monitor the situation and work with authorities in Australia or New Zealand to investigate, as the aircraft was manufactured in the United States.

Most recently, on Tuesday morning (March 12), the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) announced that they are seizing the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of LATAM Airlines' Boeing 787 following an incident that injured more than 50 people.

Investigators in New Zealand say Chilean authorities have confirmed they are opening an investigation into the flight and are assisting with the inquiry.

“The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission is in the process of gathering evidence related to the investigation, including cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders,” New Zealand authorities said, adding that the black boxes would provide further information about the flight path and communications between the pilots.

LATAM Airline did not immediately respond to questions about whether it would hand over the black box to TAIC. Previously, the airline stated that it would assist authorities in any investigation.

Khanh Ly (compiled)