The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a directive requiring airlines to inspect Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This action follows a March incident where a LATAM Airlines flight experienced a sudden mid-air dive, injuring over 50 passengers. The FAA identified that the dive was likely caused by the uncommanded movement of the captain’s seat, which led to the autopilot disconnecting. This event has raised concerns, prompting the FAA to take swift action to ensure passenger safety.
The FAA revealed that it has received five reports of similar issues involving the captain and first officer seats on 787 aircraft, with the most recent case reported in June. Two of these cases remain under investigation. The directive impacts 158 U.S.-registered Boeing 787s and 737 of these aircraft worldwide.
Inspection Requirements and Safety Concerns
Airlines must inspect the captain’s and first officer’s seats on Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 models within 30 days. The inspection specifically targets missing or cracked rocker switch caps and cracked switch cover assemblies. If any issues are discovered, airlines must perform the necessary corrective actions promptly.
The FAA has warned that uncommanded horizontal movement of an occupied seat could lead to a rapid descent of the airplane, posing serious risks to passengers and crew. This directive aims to prevent any further incidents and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Boeing’s Ongoing Challenges with the 777-9
In a related development, Boeing announced that it had halted test flights for its 777-9 aircraft, which is still awaiting certification. The decision came after a maintenance check revealed that a component between the engine and the airplane structure was not performing as expected. The FAA confirmed that Boeing reported the issue after a recent 777-9 flight test.
Boeing began certification flight testing of the 777-9 in July 2024, with FAA regulators on board, following the receipt of the Type Inspection Authorization. The company stated that no additional flight tests were planned for other test airplanes in the near future and noted that the problematic component is specific to the 777-9 model.
These incidents highlight the importance of ongoing maintenance and regulatory oversight in ensuring the safety of commercial aviation. The FAA’s directives and Boeing’s response demonstrate a commitment to addressing issues promptly and maintaining the highest safety standards. As the inspections and corrective actions take place, the industry will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Source: Reuters
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