An aviation lawyer speaking on the ABC says Australian airline Qantas probably realises it faces a compensation bill running into the tens of millions, after one of its planes dived unexpectedly.
The Qantas Airbus was forced to land in Western Australia’s north after the mid-air incident on the way from Singapore to Perth.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has analysed the plane’s flight data recorder and learnt it dropped 650 feet in about 20 seconds, before nose-diving another 400 feet in about 16 seconds.
About 70 people were injured, some suffering spinal injuries.
Aviation lawyer Peter Carter says the airline can expect a compensation bill running into the tens of millions.
“I think Qantas and their insurers would be well aware of those sort of figures,” he said.
He says it’s time the Australian Government increased the $US340,000 individual compensation claim threshold Australian airlines are subject to.
A Report by The Mole
