ARLINGTON, Va. (Diya TV) — Boeing has advised airlines to inspect cockpit seats on its 787 Dreamliner jets following a frightening incident on a Latam Airlines flight to New Zealand, where a sudden plunge occurred, likely due to a seat mishap.
The incident, which caused panic among passengers, reportedly involved a flight attendant accidentally activating a switch on the pilot’s seat while serving a meal, resulting in the pilot being pushed into the controls and the plane’s nose being pushed downward. Although no serious injuries were reported, about 50 passengers required medical attention.
In response, Boeing issued a memo to operators of 787 jets recommending inspections of cockpit chairs for loose covers on switches and providing instructions for disabling the pilot seat motor if necessary. The company stated that it is also considering updates to flight crew manuals in light of the incident.
While the exact cause of the plunge is still under investigation, Boeing emphasized that the advisory is a precautionary measure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is closely monitoring the situation and has convened a corrective-action review board to assess Boeing’s response.
The Dreamliner’s cockpit seats are designed to move for pilot maneuverability, but a potential issue with the switches controlling these seats has raised safety concerns. American Airlines has already issued a notice to its 787 captains, instructing crew members not to use the switch while the chair is occupied and ensuring that maintenance teams check the switches for proper security.
