US federal regulators are ordering a comprehensive review of Boeing's brand-new fleet of 787 Dreamliners, after a string of scares struck the state-of-the-art passenger jet in a week.
The Federal Aviation Administration finally launched the probe after a crack appeared in a cockpit window during a domestic All Nippon Airways flight in Japan today.
The review is an embarrassing setback to the plane that was heralded as the future of aviation, after four separate malfunctions occurred this week alone, including a brake failure, a fuel leak and an on-board fire.
The FAA says the review will include the design, manufacture and assembly of the aircraft.
peaking of today's incident, ANA said crew noticed a spider web-like crack in a window in front of the pilot's seat about 70 minutes into Friday's flight, which was close to its destination.
'Cracks appear a few times every year in other planes. We don't see this as a sign of a fundamental problem' with Boeing aircraft, a spokesman for the airline said.
The 787, which Boeing calls the Dreamliner, relies more than any other modern airliner on electrical signals to help power nearly everything the plane does.
It is also the first Boeing plane to use rechargeable lithium ion batteries and to be made with lightweight composite materials.
More than 800 have been sold to airlines around the world, which Boeing has said will be more fuel efficient than comparable jets and more comfortable for passengers.
But the Dreamliner has flown under a cloud since its maiden voyage on in October 2011, which itself saw repeated delays lasting more than three years after a slew of faults were detected.
No comments:
Post a Comment