Boeing issued a safety advisory to airlines following an incident involving a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which experienced a sudden mid-flight drop while en route to New Zealand.
The safety advisory directs airlines to inspect the switches on their Boeing 787 Dreamliner cockpit seats during routine maintenance checks.
Though Boeing did not directly attribute the advisory to the incident on LATAM Airlines Flight LA 800, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed its issuance in response to the incident.
On March 11, 2024, LATAM Airlines Flight LA 800, operating a Boeing 787-9, encountered a sudden altitude loss en route from Sydney to Auckland. Approximately 50 individuals sustained injuries during the event, prompting concerns over passenger safety and aircraft maintenance protocols.
In response, the Chilean Directorate General of Civil Aviation initiated an investigation into the incident, as the aircraft was registered in Chile. The incident highlights the importance of thorough safety protocols and prompt regulatory responses to ensure passenger well-being and air travel safety.