Lawsuit Filed Against Boeing Over Defective Seat Switch on Boeing 787
The Floridant/10331916

ATLANTA - Floridant -- By:  Jonathan W. Johnson LLC.

Two passengers injured during a terrifying mid-air incident aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner have filed a lawsuit against Boeing, alleging that a defective pilot seat switch caused the aircraft to suddenly lose control during flight.

Nathaniel Deschine and Melanie Deschine filed the complaint in the Court of Common Pleas for Charleston County, South Carolina, seeking compensatory and punitive damages after an incident aboard LATAM Flight LA800 on March 11, 2024.

According to the complaint, the Boeing aircraft abruptly entered a violent nosedive while traveling from Sydney, Australia, to Auckland, New Zealand, causing passengers, luggage, and objects to be thrown into the cabin ceiling and across the aircraft. More than 50 passengers were reportedly injured in the event.

The lawsuit alleges that the incident was caused by a defectively placed seat switch on the captain's seat, which propelled the pilot forward into the aircraft's control instruments and triggered the sudden dive.

More on The Floridant

• Dream Giveaway Offers A Chance to Win A Rare 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Sport Coupe!
• Small-Business Bankruptcy Filings Rise 46%; Medro Advisors Highlights Capital Options
• WOWX Completes Its Transition from CEX to Decentralized Derivatives Infrastructure
• 12 Steps To Ranking Your Business Higher On Google Maps
• Miami-Based MGI Announces 2027 Expansion Strategy Across Outsourcing, AI and Business Ventures

Passengers Report Chaos and Fear of Imminent Crash

The complaint describes a chaotic scene in the cabin as the aircraft dropped without warning.

Passengers who were not wearing seatbelts were reportedly thrown to the ceiling and remained suspended there for several seconds before falling back down onto seats and the floor, causing serious injuries.

According to the filing, many passengers believed the aircraft would crash during the incident.

The pilots ultimately regained control of the aircraft and safely landed in Auckland.

Claims of Known Defect and Safety Failures

The complaint alleges that Boeing knew or should have known about problems involving seat switch malfunctions on pilot seats in Boeing 787 aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration had reportedly received multiple reports related to such malfunctions.

The lawsuit further claims Boeing failed to correct the hazard before passengers were put at risk.

The plaintiffs also cite broader safety concerns involving Boeing, referencing prior regulatory warnings, whistleblower complaints, and past aircraft incidents in arguing that Boeing maintained a corporate culture that placed profits over safety.

More on The Floridant

• HSS Medical Supply Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of Its Top Performing Sales Team
• Oakcrest Outdoors Completes Entrance Landscape Makeover at Canopy Oaks
• Jacombs Tickets Partners with UEFA to Offer Champions League Tickets
• LGBTQHealthcare.com Launches National Directory to Help People Find LGBTQ+ Affirming Healthcare
• Bay Food Brokerage adds veteran food industry leader to sales team

Claims in the Lawsuit

The complaint asserts several legal claims against Boeing, including:

• Negligence
• Strict product liability
• Breach of warranty
• Failure to warn
• Violations of federal aviation safety standards (pled in the alternative)

The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for physical and psychological injuries as well as $100 million in punitive damages.

The lawsuit was filed March 5, 2026 in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, Charleston County, South Carolina, where Boeing operates manufacturing facilities.  The filing is CASE#2026CP1001164.

The plaintiffs are represented by Jonathan W. Johnson LLC and Motley Rice, LLC.  They may be contacted at jwj@jonathanjohnsonatlantalawyer.com.  The firm's website is https://jonathanjohnsonatlantalawyer.com