Black box seized by authorities investigating Latam Airlines LA800 flight after turbulence issue to Auckland

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of a Latam plane have been seized by authorities after more than 50 people injured during a mid flight incident.

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of a Latam Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been seized by authorities after more than 50 people injured during a mid flight incident.

Chilean Latam Airlines LA800 flight was travelling from Sydney to Auckland on Monday when it experienced a sudden drop in altitude during the flight.

Latam Airlines is assisting in the investigation after the incident. Picture: Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images

The flight landed about 4pm NZ time at Auckland Airport, with Hato Hone St John paramedics rushing to the runway to assist.

A Latam Airlines Group spokesman said flight LA800 was carrying 263 passengers and nine flight and cabin crew members when it experienced a “strong shake” during flight.

New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) confirmed on Tuesday it was assisting at the request of the Chilean authorities with its investigation in what happened on-board.

A TAIC spokesman said as the incident occurred in international airspace, the Chilean accident investigation authority, the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC), has confirmed it was launched an investigation.

“TAIC is in the process of gathering evidence relevant to the inquiry, including seizing the cockpit voice and flight data recorders,” the TAIC spokesman said.

A Latam spokesman confirmed the airline was working in “co-ordination with the respective authorities to support the investigations” after the flight experienced a “strong shake”.

Latam Airlines experience extreme turbulence on Monday.

Passenger Lucas Ellwood told Channel 7 what it was like on-board as the chaotic scenes unfolded.

“There wasn’t a lot of explanation on what did happen. Suddenly we were finishing lunch (then it happened),” Mr Ellwood said on Tuesday.

“There was wine on the roof and there were people on the roof. It was just a scary, terrifying moment.”

Mr Ellwood said he was holding his iPad and filling out a passenger declaration for New Zealand when the incident occurred.

“The declaration form and my iPad both hit the roof and came crashing down immediately. It was crazy,” he said.

At least twelve people were taken to hospital, with one patient in a serious condition. Picture: Nine

About 50 people were initially assessed by paramedics upon landing.

Ten passengers – four of whom were Australian – were then taken to a medical centre for assessment with one passenger and one crew member requiring additional treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

“Latam provided affected passengers with food, accommodation and transportation due to the flight cancellation,” the airline spokesman said.

“Latam Airlines Groups’ priority is to support the passengers and crew members of the flight, and apologise for any inconvenience and discomfort that this situation may have caused.

“They also reiterate their commitment to safety as an uncompromising value within its operational standards.”