Boeing urges airlines to check switches after LATAM plane plunge

AFP | New York, United States                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Boeing on Friday warned airlines flying its 787 Dreamliner model to inspect certain switches in the cockpit, after a New Zealand-bound LATAM plane dropped violently mid-flight, injuring dozens of travelers.

“The investigation of Flight LA800 is ongoing and we defer to the investigation authorities on any potential findings,” a statement from the US aeronautics giant said.

“We have taken the precautionary measure of reminding 787 operators of a service bulletin issued in 2017 which included instructions for inspecting and maintaining switches on flight deck seats,” Boeing said, adding, “We are recommending operators perform an inspection at the next maintenance opportunity.”

Boeing regularly sends recommendations about its planes to its clients. But this one involved a particularly dangerous incident.

The Chilean airlines LATAM was flying Monday from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand, when the plane suddenly plunged earthward, flinging unrestrained passengers out of their seats and smashing some into the cabin roof.

Fifty people were injured, including 13 who were hospitalized.

The airline on Tuesday attributed the accident to an unspecified “technical event.” But the Wall Street Journal, citing US industry sources, said Friday the incident was caused by the clumsiness of a crew member.

It said a flight attendant inadvertently hit a switch on the pilot’s seat while serving a meal, causing a motorized feature to thrust the pilot into the controls and push the plane’s nose sharply down.

It said the switch is usually covered and is not meant to be used when the pilot is in the seat. Contacted in Chile by AFP, LATAM refused to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

“From the beginning we have collaborated with the authorities to clarify this matter,” it added. Boeing also refused to comment.

For its part, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was convening a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) made up of safety experts to study the matter “and provide feedback to Boeing.”