At least 50 people were injured on a commercial Boeing 787 jet flying from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand due to a technical event causing severe turbulence. While rare, incidents of severe turbulence do occur in the skies. The airline, Tom, reported that a technical issue during the flight led to a sudden strong movement, resulting in injuries to both crew members and passengers.
Witnesses on board described people being thrown through the air, likely due to the plane's sudden loss of altitude. This incident raises concerns about the safety of air travel, especially when technical difficulties are involved. The injured individuals have been taken to hospitals for treatment.
Meanwhile, Boeing is facing additional scrutiny following a criminal investigation into a door plug blowout on an Alaska jet in January. The Transportation Secretary has called for Boeing to cooperate fully and address quality issues promptly. Boeing has denied any wrongdoing but is under pressure to provide a comprehensive plan to improve its processes.
The Alaska incident involved a subcontractor potentially failing to reinstall bolts after removing the door plug, leading to missing bolts and safety concerns. The lack of documentation further complicates Boeing's situation, especially in light of previous fatal crashes involving the MAX jets in 2018 and 2019.
With Boeing's stock likely to be impacted by these developments, the aviation industry and regulators are closely monitoring the situation. The recent incidents highlight the importance of stringent safety protocols and thorough oversight in the aerospace sector to prevent future accidents and ensure passenger safety.