By DAVID KOENIG (AP Airlines Writer)
Boeing is telling airlines to check the switches on pilots' seats in its 787 Dreamliner planes after a report suggested that an accidental movement of a cockpit seat probably led to the sudden descent of a LATAM Airlines plane heading to New Zealand.
Boeing stated on Friday that it suggested airlines inspect the motorized cockpit seats during their next maintenance of the 787s. The aircraft manufacturer referred to instructions on how to deactivate the motors that move the seats.
The company described its recommendation as a 'precautionary measure' and did not directly connect the memo to the recent incident on a LATAM Airlines flight between Australia and New Zealand.
The Federal Aviation Administration stated, however, that the Boeing memo was issued 'in response to the incident on LATAM Flight 800.' The FAA mentioned that it was assembling a group of experts to evaluate Boeing's message to airlines.
LATAM Airlines, headquartered in Chile, initially mentioned that there was 'a technical event during the flight which caused a strong movement.' In a follow-up statement on Tuesday, the airline noted that the plane 'experienced a strong shake during flight, the cause of which is currently under investigation.'
Passengers reported that when the Dreamliner suddenly descended, individuals without seatbelts were thrown from their seats and into the ceiling and aisles of the cabin. The plane subsequently landed at Auckland Airport on schedule.
Around 50 individuals were injured, according to emergency teams in Auckland.
The 787, introduced in 2011, is a twin-aisle plane mainly used for long international flights. The model involved in the LATAM flight can accommodate up to around 300 passengers.
United Airlines, which has 71 Dreamliners, and American Airlines, with 59, are among the key users of the aircraft. American Airlines stated that Boeing's instructions would not affect its operations, while United Airlines declined to comment.
The Wall Street Journal reported late Thursday that a flight attendant serving a meal in the cockpit accidentally pressed a switch on the back of a seat, which pushed the pilot into the controls of the 787, causing the plane's nose to dip. The newspaper cited unidentified U.S. industry officials briefed on initial findings from the investigation.
The newspaper mentioned that Boeing suggested airlines verify that the switches are securely covered (they should not be used during flights) and instructed them on how to deactivate the power to the seat motor.
Chile's aviation regulator has dispatched investigators to New Zealand and, in accordance with international agreements, will lead the investigation. No findings have been released yet.
The incident could increase the scrutiny on Boeing, which is already under heavy scrutiny following an incident where a panel detached from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max over Oregon in January. The FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Justice Department are conducting separate inquiries related to the detachment and Boeing's production of Max planes.
