The FAA has issued an AD ordering operators of all models of the Boeing 787 to inspect the flight deck seat switches in response to the sudden forward pitch of a Dreamliner off Australia last March that hurt 50 people. The sudden dive occurred when the captain's seat experienced an "uncommanded horizontal movement" causing the yoke to be pushed forward. Unbelted passengers and crew were thrown about the cabin and some were injured seriously. The FAA said that since the March incident there have been at least five other reported instances of trouble with the switch.
How long have 787’s been flying? This is the first I have heard of this incident. Surely there can be a better switch arrangement, that an attendant with a snack won’t possible kill everyone onboard.
I’m guessing you’re correct in that certification requirements probably do limit the seat from hitting the yoke. However, pilot dimensions are less regulated.
The obvious answer to this bizarre incident, and to prevent anything similar from happening again, is to locate the seat switches on the outboard ide of the seat, so that they are accessible only to the person sitting in the seat.