Boeing Recommends Inspecting Pilots’ Seat Switches on 787 Dreamliner Jets
Boeing is advising airlines to inspect switches on pilots’ seats in its 787 Dreamliner jets following a recent incident involving a LATAM Airlines plane flying to New Zealand. The aerospace giant issued a memo on Friday recommending that airlines check the motorized cockpit seats during their next maintenance cycle and disable the motors that move the seats.
The precautionary measure comes after a LATAM Airlines flight experienced a sudden plunge during a recent trip between Australia and New Zealand. Passengers on board reported being thrown from their seats and into the cabin ceiling and aisles when the Dreamliner unexpectedly dropped. About 50 people were injured in the incident, according to emergency crews in Auckland.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that Boeing’s memo was issued in response to the incident on LATAM Flight 800. The FAA is convening a panel of experts to review Boeing’s message to airlines. LATAM Airlines initially described the event as a “technical event” that caused a “strong movement.” The cause of the sudden plunge is still under investigation.
The Wall Street Journal reported that preliminary findings from the investigation suggest 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 the nose of the plane to descend. Boeing recommended that airlines ensure the switches are securely covered and instructed them on how to disable the seat motor power.
Chile’s aviation regulator has sent investigators to New Zealand to lead the investigation, as per international agreements. The incident could potentially increase scrutiny on Boeing, which has been under heightened scrutiny since a panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max earlier in the year. Multiple investigations by the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Justice Department are ongoing regarding the incident and Boeing’s manufacturing processes for the Max jets.
United Airlines and American Airlines are among the leading users of the 787 Dreamliner, with 71 and 59 aircraft respectively. American Airlines stated that Boeing’s recommendations would have no impact on its operations, while United declined to comment on the matter.
Overall, Boeing’s advisory serves as a proactive step to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and crew aboard its 787 Dreamliner jets. It remains to be seen what the final outcome of the investigation will be and what additional measures, if any, will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.