Boeing regularly sends recommendations about its planes to its clients. But this one involved a particularly dangerous incident.
The Chilean airlines Latam was flying Monday from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand, when the plane suddenly plunged earthward, flinging unrestrained passengers out of their seats and smashing some into the cabin roof.
Fifty people were injured, including 13 who were hospitalised.
12 hospitalised in New Zealand after turbulence leaves ‘whole plane screaming’
12 hospitalised in New Zealand after turbulence leaves ‘whole plane screaming’
The airline on Tuesday attributed the accident to an unspecified “technical event.”
But the Wall Street Journal, citing US industry sources, said on Friday the incident was caused by the clumsiness of a crew member.
It said a flight attendant inadvertently hit a switch on the pilot’s seat while serving a meal, causing a motorised feature to thrust the pilot into the controls and push the plane’s nose sharply down.
It said the switch is usually covered and is not meant to be used when the pilot is in the seat.
Contacted in Chile by AFP, Latam refused to comment, citing the ongoing investigation. “From the beginning we have collaborated with the authorities to clarify this matter,” it added.
Boeing also refused to comment.
For its part, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was convening a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) made up of safety experts to study the matter “and provide feedback to Boeing.”
It added, “The process will include reviewing the 2017 service bulletin related to the switches in the pilot seats.”
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Dozens hurt as Boeing jet bound from Australia to New Zealand experiences mid-air drop
Dozens hurt as Boeing jet bound from Australia to New Zealand experiences mid-air drop
Boeing has suffered a series of safety issues in recent years, including the fatal crashes of 737 Max planes in 2018 and 2019 that killed more than 350 people and the near-catastrophic incident in January when a fuselage panel on a Boeing 737 Max 9 Alaska Airlines jet blew off mid-flight.
United Airlines on Friday said one of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft was found to have a missing external panel after landing safely at its scheduled destination at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport in Oregon.
United said the plane was carrying 139 passengers and six crew, and the missing panel was discovered after the plane was parked at the gate.
The plane had departed from San Francisco, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24.
Who worked on the Boeing door plug that blew out mid-air? The footage is gone
Who worked on the Boeing door plug that blew out mid-air? The footage is gone
Last week, a Boeing 777 jetliner bound for Japan had to make an emergency landing shortly after take-off from San Francisco when a wheel fell off and plunged into an airport parking space, damaging several cars.
US regulators earlier this month gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a plan addressing quality control issues, with the Federal Aviation Administration chief saying the company must “commit to real and profound improvements.”
Boeing’s share price has dropped 25 per cent since the start of the year.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Source: scmp.com
