The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is likely to approve Boeing’s plan to resolve the battery problems on 787 Dreamliners within a few days, a move which will allow the company to begin flight tests of the grounded aircraft.
This will be a major step towards returning the grounded Dreamliners to service, according to sources familiar with the matter.
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However, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told the Wall Street Journal a thorough review of Boeing’s proposed plan is required, in order to ensure that the fixes are feasible, prior to a final decision on resuming commercial flights of the jetliner.
Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel was quoted by Reuters as saying that the FAA is assessing the company’s proposal for a permanent fix for the 787 battery issue and Boeing is encouraged by the progress that is being made toward solving the problem and returning the aircraft to flight.
On 22 February, Boeing proposed battery design modifications and new physical protection systems in order to contain flammable materials.
The recommendations included ceramic insulation between the cells of the battery to help keep cells cool and prevent a thermal runaway; building a stainless-steel box with a venting tube to discharge fumes out of the aeroplane in case of a fire; wiring changes; and self-torquing screws to prevent moisture and vibration problems.
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By GlobalDataFAA grounded all 50 787s in-service worldwide on 16 January following a battery fire on a 787 that landed in Boston’s Logan International Airport and another case of an overheated battery, which prompted Japan’s All Nippon Airways’ jetliner to make an emergency landing.
In addition to battery problems, the 787 has been plagued by several other safety incidents this year, including a crack in the window of a cockpit, an oil leak from a generator inside an engine, a brake problem, and fuel spillage.
Image: Boeing 787 Dreamliner will return to service if the FAA approves Boeing’s proposed fix for the batteries on the aircraft. Photo courtesy of Boeing.
