Boeing Advises Airlines to Inspect 787 Cockpit Seats After Cause of LATAM Airlines’ Mid-Air Drop Is Revealed

The incident aboard the New Zealand-bound flight left 50 people injured on Monday

• LATAM Airlines flight LA800 experienced a sudden plunge during its flight to Auckland, New Zealand from Sydney, Australia on Monday 

• The cause of the  Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s mid-air drop was reportedly due to a flight attendant accidentally hitting a switch on the pilot’s seat in the cockpit 

• Boeing has issued a memo to all 787 operators to inspect their planes as the switch is meant to be covered

Boeing has sent a reminder out to all 787 operators after LATAM airlines flight LA800 experienced a severe mid-air drop on Monday during its flight to New Zealand from Australia.

The sudden plunge was reportedly caused by a flight attendant accidentally hitting a switch on the pilot’s seat while serving a meal in the cockpit, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A motorized feature that pushed the pilot’s seat forward was then initiated, causing the pilot to bump into a control that directed the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s nose downward, per the outlet.

Following the incident, Boeing issued a precautionary memo to all 787 operators as the switch is meant to be covered whenever the seat is occupied.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Boeing says: “We have taken the precautionary measure of reminding 787 operators of a service bulletin issued in 2017 which included instructions for inspecting and maintaining switches on flight deck seats.”

They add that the investigation of the flight is ongoing, and that “We are recommending operators perform an inspection at the next maintenance opportunity.”

LATAM Airlines declined PEOPLE’s request for comment until the investigation is complete.

Related: 50 Injured After Flight Experiences ‘Strong’ Mid-Air Drop: ‘People Were Flying’

The plane was heading to Auckland from Sydney when it experienced a “strong shake” mid-journey, according to a press release from the Chile-based airline.

After the plane landed safely at Auckland Airport at approximately 4:26 p.m, emergency medical service Hato Hone St John rushed to the scene.

The organization confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement that their “ambulance crews assessed and treated approximately 50 patients.” While most injuries were “moderate to minor,” they said one passenger was left “in a serious condition.”

In total, 14 Hato Hone St John units responded, including “seven ambulances, two operations managers, two Major Incident Support Team vehicles, one Command Unit, and two rapid response vehicles.”

Related: People Were 'Thrown Back 4 or 5 Aisles' After Flight Experienced Mid-Air Drop, Passenger Says

Passenger Brian Jokat, 61, recalled the terrifying experience to NBC News following the incident.

"Everything was going well," Jokat said. “Then all of a sudden, the plane took a nosedive down.” He added, “People were flying out of their seats, hitting the roof, being thrown back four or five aisles back.”

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The flight was carrying a total of 263 passengers and nine flight and cabin crew members. LATAM Airlines confirmed to PEOPLE that 10 passengers and 3 cabin crew members were taken to Middlemore Hospital after Hato Hone St John assessed the injured.

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Read the original article on People.