LATAM Airlines nosedive – reports say flight attendant accidentally triggered the event

A LATAM Airlines flight to Auckland experienced a severe drop in altitude last week, injuring 50 passengers, was possibly caused by an accidental activation of cockpit seat controls by a crew member.

Boeing has advised airlines to inspect the motorised cockpit seats on its 787 Dreamliner jets, particularly the switches on pilots’ seats as a precautionary step. This comes after reports suggested that the incident might have been triggered by inadvertent seat adjustment.

Although Boeing’s advisory did not directly mention the LATAM Airlines incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged it as a response to the event on LATAM Flight 800 and is reviewing Boeing’s communication with a panel of experts.

The airline described the episode as a ‘technical event’ that led to a significant loss of altitude while passengers reported being thrown against the cabin ceiling and aisles.

The Boeing 787, a model introduced in 2011 for long international flights, can carry about 300 passengers.

The Wall Street Journal reported the nosedive was likely caused by a flight attendant accidentally activating a seat switch, pushing the pilot into the control panel. Boeing has suggested checking these switches are covered and has provided instructions to disable the seat motors.

The incident adds to the ongoing scrutiny Boeing faces, following a recent safety concern with an Alaska Airlines 737 Max. Investigations by the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Justice Department are ongoing regarding Boeing’s manufacturing processes. Boeing whistleblower