Tuesday, August 20, 2024 The Federal Aviation Administration mandates global Boeing 787 cockpit seat switch inspections after a LATAM incident led to a sudden altitude drop. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a global directive requiring an inspection of all Boeing 787 aircraft for the switches that control the movement of pilots’ seats in the cockpit. This action follows an incident involving a LATAM Dreamliner, where the aircraft experienced a sudden altitude drop due to the captain’s seat unexpectedly sliding forward.
Under this new directive, operators of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, including the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 models, must check the pilot and co-pilot seats for any missing or cracked rocker switch caps, as well as for any damage to the switch covers. Airlines operating these Boeing 787 aircraft have been instructed to carry out inspections within 30 days and to make any necessary repairs. As reported by Reuters, this directive impacts 158 planes in the United States and 737 planes globally.
The LATAM 787 Event This latest FAA order stems from a March incident involving LATAM Airlines, where a Boeing 787-9, registered as CC-BGG, experienced a sudden and alarming drop while cruising. The aircraft was on a 5th freedom flight between Sydney and Auckland when the incident occurred, resulting in injuries to over 50 passengers, some of whom sustained severe injuries, with at least one passenger in critical condition. Reports indicate that a flight attendant inadvertently triggered a switch on the pilot’s seat during meal service in the cockpit, causing the seat to shift forward and push the pilot into the controls.
This unexpected movement resulted in the aircraft entering a nose-down descent. Following the incident, Boeing promptly issued an advisory recommending that airlines inspect the cockpit seat switches on their Boeing 787 Dreamliners during the next maintenance check. However, the FAA’s current directive carries a greater sense of urgency, requiring airlines to complete these inspections within 30 days.
According to Reuters, the FAA has received five reports from airlines regarding issues with the captain and first officer seats on 787 aircraft. The most recent report was submitted in June, and two of these cases are still under investigation by the agency. Popular Aircraft Despite some challenges over the years, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner remains one of the most sought-after long-haul widebody jets.
As of June 2024, there are over 390 787-8s, 621 787-9s, and 97 787-10s in active service globally. Airlines favor the Dreamliners for their 50% composite construction, which enhances fuel efficiency and aerodynamics, making them more efficient than older models. Boeing highlights that the 787 incorporates more composite materials in its airframe and primary structure than any previous commercial airplane, combined with advanced technology, contributing to its popularity among airlines worldwide.
Simple Flying has conducted an in-depth analysis of the 787’s technical features, which can be found in the article linked below..
