This alert comes after an in-flight incident in New Zealand that left numerous injured during a flight on Monday between Sydney (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand) operated by the Chilean company Latam.
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The aircraft manufacturer Boeing recalled by “precaution” airlines operating 787 Dreamliners to inspect certain buttons in the cockpits. This alert comes after an in-flight incident in New Zealand that left numerous injured.
“The investigation into flight LA800 is still ongoing and we leave it to the investigating authorities to discuss possible discoveries”wrote the manufacturer in a press release. “We have taken a precautionary step by reminding 787 operators of a 2017 service bulletin that included instructions regarding the inspection and maintenance of buttons on cockpit seats.”continued the American aircraft manufacturer, recommending to operators “to conduct an inspection at the next maintenance opportunity”.
Boeing often issues advice and recommendations regarding its aircraft fleets. But, this time, it comes in a very specific context. The plane of the Chilean company Latam, which was flying from Sydney in Australia to Auckland in New Zealand on Monday, suddenly lost altitude above the Tasman Sea.
“Technical incident” or clumsiness of the crew?
The company mentioned a “technical incident”, which propelled those whose seat belts were unfastened to the ceiling. Around fifty people required treatment, thirteen of whom were transported to hospital. THE Wall Street Journalreferring to American sources in the airline sector, wrote Friday that the incident was caused by clumsiness by the flight attendants. “A cabin crew member touched a button on the pilot’s seat while serving a meal, activating a motorized device that threw the pilot against the controls and caused the plane’s nose to pitch down.”explains WSJ.
Contacted by AFP, the Latam company refused to comment “because an investigation is underway. From the start, we have worked with the authorities to clarify this matter”. Boeing also refused to comment on these press reports. For its part, the American Aviation Agency specified that its Corrective Action Review Board, composed of safety experts, would “study the message to companies (MOM) proposed by Boeing after the incident on Latam flight 800”.
