Pilot seat suspected to be the cause of LATAM Airlines plane's sudden descent

According to the aviation publication Air Current on March 14, a technical problem related to the pilot's seat is the main focus of the investigation into the sudden mid-air loss of altitude of a Boeing 787 operated by Chile's LATAM Airlines, injuring dozens of people.

LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 crashes. Photo: VNA

The Boeing 787, carrying 263 passengers and 9 crew members, was traveling from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand when it suddenly lost altitude. The incident caused some passengers to be thrown from their seats and hit the cabin, injuring 50 people. Chilean authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the incident and are coordinating with New Zealand in the investigation process.

Air Current cited a senior aviation safety official as saying that the sudden movement of the pilot's seat was a major focus of the investigation. Based on the information gathered, the pilot's seat may have had a mechanical problem, causing the plane's nose to tilt down. Investigators are also looking into the possibility of an electrical short circuit leading to the incident.

According to Air Current, the US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is expected to send a notice about the incident to the operators of the Boeing 787 aircraft. Boeing and LATAM Airlines have not yet commented on the above information. However, the airline has previously affirmed that it will fully cooperate with the investigating authorities.

On March 13, the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission said it had seized the cockpit voice recorder and the black box (a device that stores flight data). These devices will provide information about the conversations between the pilots and the movements of the plane.

LAM DIEN

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