Boeing, one of the leading aeronautics giants, issued a warning to airlines regarding the inspection of certain switches in the cockpit of its 787 Dreamliner model. This warning came after a terrifying incident on a New Zealand-bound LATAM plane, where passengers were injured due to a sudden and violent drop mid-flight.
The Incident
The Chilean airline LATAM was en route from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand when the plane experienced a rapid descent, causing chaos onboard. Passengers were thrown out of their seats, with some even hitting the cabin roof. This resulted in injuries to fifty people, including 13 who had to be hospitalized. The exact cause of the incident was initially attributed to a “technical event” by the airline, but sources later revealed it was due to the inadvertent action of a crew member.
Boeing, as well as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), launched investigations into the incident. Boeing advised operators to refer to a service bulletin from 2017 regarding the inspection and maintenance of switches on flight deck seats. The FAA, on the other hand, formed a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) to thoroughly study the matter and provide feedback to Boeing. Both entities emphasized the importance of addressing the issue promptly to prevent future occurrences.
Previous Safety Concerns
Boeing has faced a string of safety issues in recent years, including the fatal crashes of 737 MAX planes in 2018 and 2019, as well as a near-catastrophic incident involving a Boeing 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines jet. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the overall safety and quality control measures adopted by Boeing. As a result, US regulators have given Boeing a 90-day ultimatum to come up with a comprehensive plan to address these issues and make significant improvements.
The consequences of these safety incidents have been reflected in Boeing’s share price, which has plummeted by 25 percent since the beginning of the year. The market response indicates a lack of confidence in Boeing’s ability to manage safety concerns effectively, posing a significant challenge for the company’s reputation and financial performance moving forward.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of safety in the aviation industry. The need for thorough inspections, timely responses to safety concerns, and continuous improvement in quality control measures are paramount to ensuring the well-being of passengers and the overall integrity of the aviation sector. Boeing must take decisive action to regain trust and credibility in the face of growing scrutiny and challenges ahead.
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