New Zealand authorities were able to remove the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from a Boeing 787-9 plane that experienced a “technical event” on Monday’s LATAM Flight 800, a Transport Safety Agency spokesperson said. he told CNN on Wednesday.
The black boxes hold data crucial to understanding why a Boeing plane suddenly fell during a flight from Australia to New Zealand, leaving dozens of passengers treated for injuries.
The technical glitch and subsequent investigation came at a difficult time for Boeing. The US manufacturer has recently come under heavy criticism for a series of safety and quality issues with its aircraft.
series of investigations
Chile’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) is leading the investigation into the black box, as the plane was registered in the country. New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) will also be contributing investigators to the process.
The Boeing plane remains in Auckland and will be examined by Chilean law enforcement authorities.
The union representing the flight’s crew announced on Wednesday that it would conduct an investigation.
The Latin American Cabin Crew Association (STCLA) said in a statement to CNN on Wednesday. The company said it was “collecting records of colleagues who were injured” during the incident.
A statement issued by LATAM Airlines said the plane suffered a “technical event” that injured at least 10 passengers and three crew members. However, Auckland’s emergency medical services provider, Hato Hone St John Ambulance, told CNN that about 50 people were being treated for injuries upon arrival in Auckland, one of whom was in critical condition.
The pilot may have temporarily lost control of the jet.
Brian Giocat, one of the passengers on the Chilean Boeing 787, told CNN that the pilot checked on the passengers and explained that he had momentarily lost control of the jet.
“I immediately spoke to him and said, ‘What was that?'” He then openly admitted, “I lost control of the plane.” For some reason, the gauge just went blank,” Jocutt said.
STCLA told CNN it is awaiting the results of the investigation “not only to learn what happened, but so we can push the company to make necessary improvements.”
CNN contacted LATAM Airlines on Wednesday but received no comment.
“Aviation is a complex activity, involves significant risks and must be carried out safely, so operating in suitable conditions will also ensure the safety of aviation as a whole,” STCLA said in a statement. mentioned in.
Boeing’s nightmare
Analysis of the LATAM flight’s black box data could shed light on Boeing’s role in the flight’s nosedive.
Boeing is in crisis after a series of flight accidents in recent months have put its quality standards under increased scrutiny.
In January, a door plug on a new Boeing 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines blew off, leaving a hole in the side of the plane during flight. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board said there was evidence that four bolts securing the door plug were missing.
On Wednesday, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a letter to the Senate committee investigating Boeing that the investigation has been stalled because Boeing has not turned over key supporting documents. .
The most serious problem Boeing has faced in recent years is the two fatal crashes of its 737 Max jets due to defects in the aircraft’s design.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration warned in February of safety issues with the engine anti-icing systems on the 737 Max and larger 787 Dreamliner.
The FAA said Monday that Boeing has been subject to federal audits and other reviews, including an employee safety culture survey and another committee report that found workers who reported safety concerns feared retaliation. The government has given the government until late May to develop a plan to improve the issues identified in the report. .
CNN’s Chris Isidore, Kathleen Magramo, Manveena Suri and Alex Stambaugh contributed reporting.