In a move to ensure passenger safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated inspections of hundreds of Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
This action follows a serious incident in March 2023 involving a LATAM Airlines flight. The incident involved the captain’s seat unexpectedly moving forward, which caused unintended flight control inputs.
The pilot’s ability to control the aircraft was momentarily compromised, raising concerns about potential safety risks.
FAA Airworthiness Directive
The FAA’s directive requires airlines to inspect pilot seats on their Boeing 787 Dreamliners for potential malfunctions. The airworthiness directive (AD) will impact 158 US-registered airplanes as well as 737 airplanes in operation worldwide.
The AD calls out an inspection action for both the captain and first officer seats. It is applicable to the 787-7, 787-9, and 787-10 variants. The mandated inspection focusses on missing or cracked rocker switch caps or cracked switch covers associated with the flight deck seat assemblies.
Furthermore, if any of the issues are identified, airlines must take corrective actions to ensure the seats function properly. This may involve repairs or replacements as necessary.
What Caused the LATAM Airlines Incident?
The exact cause of the captain’s seat malfunction in the LATAM Airlines incident is still under investigation. However, the FAA’s mandate for inspections suggests that the agency has identified a potential recurring issue that needs to be addressed.
Possible causes could include manufacturing defects, wear-and-tear, or improper maintenance. The FAA’s investigation will likely determine the root cause and issue recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
What Does This Mean for Air Travel?
The FAA’s order for inspections is a precautionary measure to ensure the continued safe operation of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. While the incident involving the LATAM Airlines flight was considered serious, it’s important to note that no injuries were reported.
The inspections are likely to cause minor disruptions to airline schedules as some Boeing 787s may be temporarily taken out of service. However, the FAA and airlines are working to minimize these disruptions. Overall, the FAA’s action highlights the overriding need to maintain the safety of the National Airspace System.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
