"Passenger Recounts Terrifying Midair Plunge on Boeing 787"

A passenger on a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney to Auckland described a terrifying mid-air drop that threw travelers around the cabin, injuring about 50 people. The pilot reportedly told passengers that he temporarily lost control of the Boeing 787 after an instrument failure, causing the plane to suddenly drop 500 feet. This incident comes at a fraught time for Boeing, which has faced criticism for quality and safety issues, including two fatal crashes of the 737 Max jet and recent safety concerns with engine anti-ice systems on the 737 Max and larger 787 Dreamliner. The FAA has given Boeing until late May to produce a plan to remedy identified issues.