Incident onboard LA800, SYD-AKL, 11 March 2024 -50 injured, several taken to hospital
Mar 13, 2024, 9:17 pm
#16
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Some more news out today: Pilot seat movement at center of LATAM 787-9 dive investigation - The Air Current
Mar 14, 2024, 5:26 am
#18
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The aircraft in question, CC-BGG, has just flown directly over and past SCL airport while operating flight LA9600 to get the aircraft back to home base
EDIT: Touched down at 1135UTC
EDIT: Touched down at 1135UTC
Last edited by irishguy28; Mar 14, 2024 at 5:36 am
Mar 14, 2024, 11:57 am
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Mar 15, 2024, 11:33 am
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Mar 15, 2024, 11:57 am
#23
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WSJ amongst others is reporting that a FA delivering meals “accidentally” hit a button that pushed the pilot seat forward which in turn caused the pilot to push the joystick forward causing the dive.
This switch is supposed to have a cover and shouldn’t have triggered like this though…
https://www.wsj.com/business/airline...g-787-ee3dd7b4
This switch is supposed to have a cover and shouldn’t have triggered like this though…
https://www.wsj.com/business/airline...g-787-ee3dd7b4
Mar 15, 2024, 12:01 pm
#24
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The motorized switch that moves the seat was accidently triggered. The seats move slowly just like in your car. The Pilot must have not been very limber or coordinated to completely lose control of the plane because of that. Think of the seat in your car slowly moving forward.
Mar 15, 2024, 1:35 pm
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I have been shared a clip of a 787 seat being activated by the rear switch and then carrying on without anyone touching the switch ie no positive pressure on it. I can’t link the video clip on FT, and I do not know the source of the clip, other than Spanish is being spoken. Accordingly these picture should be treated with caution in terms of accuracy.
Last edited by Thai-Kiwi; Mar 15, 2024 at 3:22 pm
Mar 15, 2024, 4:22 pm
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From rnz.co.nz (via BBC) Boeing tells pilots to check seats after LATAM plane incident
BCC https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68580950
BCC https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68580950
Boeing has told airlines operating 787 Dreamliners that pilots need to check their seats as an investigation into an incident on a LATAM flight continues.
It comes after 50 people were hurt this week when a 787 dropped suddenly during a LATAM Airlines flight. The Wall Street Journal reported that a flight attendant accidentally hit a switch on the pilot's seat, which pushed the pilot into the controls, forcing down the plane's nose. LATAM is supporting investigations.
During the incident people were thrown against the roof of the plane, which was travelling from Australia to New Zealand.
<snip>
Boeing said: "The investigation of Flight LA800 is ongoing and we defer to the investigation authorities on any potential findings.""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." It recommended that operators perform an inspection of the switches "at the next maintenance opportunity"
<snip>
It comes after 50 people were hurt this week when a 787 dropped suddenly during a LATAM Airlines flight. The Wall Street Journal reported that a flight attendant accidentally hit a switch on the pilot's seat, which pushed the pilot into the controls, forcing down the plane's nose. LATAM is supporting investigations.
During the incident people were thrown against the roof of the plane, which was travelling from Australia to New Zealand.
<snip>
Boeing said: "The investigation of Flight LA800 is ongoing and we defer to the investigation authorities on any potential findings.""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." It recommended that operators perform an inspection of the switches "at the next maintenance opportunity"
<snip>
Mar 15, 2024, 6:35 pm
#27
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I'm not buying this one. The seat doesn't suddenly thrust forward in such a situation...although I can think of certain thrusting that would cause a sudden push on the yoke. 
Mar 16, 2024, 7:01 pm
#28
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Yes, loads of rumours about other possibilities involving cabin crew in the cockpit - the CVR transcript will hopefully make everything clear!