US regulators have ordered inspections of pilot seats on hundreds of Boeing 787 planes after a March incident in which a LATAM Airlines flight experienced a sudden, dangerous plunge, injuring around 50 passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Monday that it is requiring these inspections due to a report about an unexpected movement of the captain’s seat. This movement caused the plane to drop quickly and was a key factor in the rapid descent.
This directive affects 158 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft registered in the US and 737 planes globally. Operators must inspect and fix any issues with the pilot seats as specified by the FAA.
The need for this directive arose from a flight operated by LATAM Airlines, which was heading from Sydney to Auckland. The plane suddenly dropped, resulting in injuries to passengers. Since then, the FAA has learned of four more cases where pilot seats moved unexpectedly. Three of these were caused by loose switch caps on the seats, while the cause of the remaining two incidents is still being investigated.
The FAA explained that if a pilot’s seat moves unintentionally during flight, it can lead to sudden and unsafe changes in how the plane is controlled. This could cause a rapid descent and put passengers and crew at risk.
The FAA has issued this directive to fix these safety issues and prevent similar incidents in the future. Boeing has not yet commented on this new requirement.
