Boeing has issued a recommendation for airlines to inspect pilot seats in its 787 Dreamliner jets following an incident involving a LATAM Airlines plane. The incident, which resulted in a sudden plunge, is believed to have been caused by an accidental movement of the cockpit seat. Boeing’s advisory suggests that airlines inspect the motorized cockpit seats during maintenance and disable the motors that move the seats.
The advisory comes after a report by The Wall Street Journal, which stated that a flight attendant serving a meal in the cockpit accidentally hit a switch on the back of a seat, causing the pilot to be pushed into the controls and resulting in the nose of the plane being pushed down. Passengers on the flight reported being thrown from their seats and into the cabin ceiling and aisles when the plane dropped without warning.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Boeing’s aircraft and has prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to convene a panel of experts to review Boeing’s message to airlines. LATAM Airlines initially described the incident as a “technical event” and later stated that the cause is currently under investigation.
The 787 Dreamliner is a popular choice for long international flights, with United Airlines and American Airlines being among the leading users of the aircraft. However, both airlines have stated that Boeing’s instructions will have no impact on their operations.
Chile’s aviation regulator will lead the investigation into the incident, as per international accords. The regulator has sent investigators to New Zealand but has not released any findings yet.
This incident comes at a time when Boeing is already facing heightened scrutiny due to a separate investigation into a panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max in January. The FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Justice Department are conducting separate investigations into the blowout and Boeing’s manufacturing of Max jets.
As more details emerge about this incident, it is crucial for Boeing and airlines to address any potential safety issues promptly. Passengers’ safety should always be the top priority, and it is essential for manufacturers and airlines to work together to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
