A sudden mid-air dive of a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787, resulting in over 50 injuries, is currently under investigation, with a key focus being the movement of the flight deck seat, according to the aviation industry publication the Air Current. The incident occurred on a flight from Sydney to Auckland, causing passengers and crew to be thrown around the cabin as the plane unexpectedly dropped before regaining stability.
Initial findings suggest that the seat movement, which precipitated the plane’s nose-down angle, was “pilot induced, not intentionally,” as per a senior airline safety official cited in the report. Additionally, the possibility of an electrical short causing the incident is being considered, highlighting the complexity of determining the cause of the dive.
Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, is reportedly planning to issue a communication to 787 operators concerning the incident, signaling the potential for a fleet-wide issue. However, the exact nature of this advisory remains unspecified, and Boeing has directed inquiries to the investigating bodies.
The probe is being led by Chile’s aviation regulator, as it involves a Chilean carrier operating in international airspace. Investigators from the regulator have arrived in New Zealand to conduct a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the incident. LATAM Airlines has expressed its commitment to assisting with the investigation, refraining from commenting on speculative causes.
The flight, carrying 263 passengers and nine crew members, was en route to Santiago, Chile, with a stopover in Auckland. The sudden change in the aircraft’s trajectory remains unexplained, with safety experts emphasizing that most aviation accidents result from a combination of factors that require in-depth analysis.
New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission has taken steps to secure the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, which will offer insights into the pilots’ conversations and the aircraft’s movements during the incident.
As the investigation unfolds, the aviation community awaits clarity on the events leading to this alarming occurrence, with the hope of preventing similar incidents in the future.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com
