Investigation into mid-air dive of Latam Boeing 787 focuses on pilot seat movement: report

A report said the ‘seat movement caused the nose down’ angle of the aircraft that was flying from Sydney to Auckland

The jet dropped abruptly before stabilising, causing those on board to be thrown about the cabin

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The Latam Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that suddenly lost altitude mid-flight is parked on the tarmac of Auckland airport in New Zealand. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:01am, 14 Mar 2024Updated: 9:48am, 14 Mar 2024

The movement of a flight deck seat is a key focus of the probe into a sudden mid-air dive by a Latam Airlines Boeing 787 plane that left more than 50 people injured, aviation industry publication the Air Current reported on Wednesday.

The plane, which was heading from Sydney to Auckland on Monday, dropped abruptly before stabilising, causing those on board to be thrown about the cabin.

Based on the available information it was understood the seat movement was “pilot induced, not intentionally,” the report said, citing a senior airline safety official.

“The seat movement caused the nose down” angle of the aircraft, the publication said, citing another anonymous source who added the possibility of an electrical short was also under review.

Boeing is expected to release a message to 787 operators regarding the incident, the Air Current reported, in a sign a fleet-wide issue could be involved though it said the specific topic was not known to the publication.

Boeing declined to comment on the report, instead referring Reuters to the investigating agencies.