On a routine flight from Sydney to Auckland, LATAM Airlines Flight 800 encountered an unforeseen and severe technical issue that dramatically affected the aircraft’s stability, resulting in a sudden and alarming drop in altitude. This incident led to injuries among the passengers and crew, creating a scenario of panic and distress onboard.

The incident triggered an immediate response from aviation authorities, with Chile’s Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) and New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) stepping in to investigate the matter thoroughly. The primary focus is to understand the root cause of the technical fault and implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

For passengers and crew members who experienced this frightening event, there is an opportunity to participate in the ongoing investigation and potential compensation discussions.

By filling out an Expression of Interest (EOI) form, affected individuals can register their intent to stay informed about the investigation’s progress and explore options for compensation due to the distress and injuries suffered. To stay up to date, please visit Carter Capner Law Aviation Injury Page.

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April 2024 Updates

Various media outlets have noted the “preliminary report” from Chile’s Aviation Authority states the 11 March mid-flight plunge while flight LA800 was en route to Auckland was due to the captain’s seat experiencing an “involuntary movement forward”.

A closer look at the actual report tells us much more.

Firstly, weather conditions had nothing to do with the event: “The meteorological conditions and lack of turbulence at the time of the incident were not causal or contributing factors”.

Secondly, the report includes photos of the cockpit seat switch controls on the rear of the pilot’s seat and that of the first-officer reveal a significant difference in the resting position of the seat switch cover.

While that on the back of the first-officer’s seat sits flush with the seat back, the cover to the pilot’s seat switch does not.

The report does not comment on the different positions except to say that investigations are ongoing.

The incomplete closure when at rest, of the pilot’s seat switch cover, raises the possibility of the switch being activated when the cover was depressed.

While that might explain the “involuntary movement” of the pilot’s seat, several further questions remain unanswered:

What part did maintenance, componentry or crew conduct play?

How did the seat so violently affect the aircraft’s cruise?

What measures were in place to prevent that happening?

A crew member may well have activated the switch by inadvertently pressing down on the seat switch cover the result of which was pushing the seat’s occupant against the controls and forcing the aircraft into a dive.

At this stage that scenario is however mere speculation.

We are monitoring developments in the Chilean Aviation Authority investigation and are in the course of advising clients on an individual basis.

We are also investigating the history of cockpit seat switch controls on 787 Dreamliner aircraft in respect of which Boeing issued a warning in 2017 and again after the 11 March accident.

Click to see a copy of the preliminary report

• English version
• Spanish version