Passenger Describes People ‘Bounced Off the Roof’ on Plane That Dropped During Flight to New Zealand

Passenger Janet Baker prepares to check in at Auckland, New Zealand airport for a LATAM Airlines flight to Santiago, Chile, on March 12, 2024. Dean Purcell/New Zealand Herald via AP

SYDNEY—As officials investigate what caused a “strong shake” before a sudden plunge on a plane traveling between Australia and New Zealand, a passenger on Tuesday described a wild ride, with people without seatbelts thrown from their seats and some crashing into the plane’s ceiling.

At least 50 people were injured Monday by what LATAM Airlines described as a “strong movement” on the Chilean plane traveling from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand.