FAA Orders Immediate Boeing 787 Seat Inspections

The FAA has mandated immediate inspections of Boeing 787 Dreamliners following multiple incidents of sudden mid-air dives caused by uncommanded seat movements in the cockpit, which disengaged the auto-pilot. The directive affects 158 U.S.-registered airplanes and 737 worldwide, and requires checks for missing or cracked rocker switch caps and nonfunctional switch cover assemblies on captain and first officer seats. These inspections, to be completed within 30 days, come after a March incident involving a LATAM Airlines flight that injured over 50 passengers and four additional reports through June. Boeing has expressed support for the FAA's directive but faces ongoing scrutiny over other issues, including improperly installed fasteners and alleged inspection shortfalls. The directive aims to address unsafe conditions to prevent further in-flight upsets and passenger injuries.