During approach to Laredo, Texas, on Nov. 9, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost primary electrical power as a result of an onboard electrical fire. The Dreamliner was on a test flight at the time.
“Backup systems, including the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), functioned as expected and allowed the crew to complete a safe landing,” Boeing said in a statement. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Boeing.
The pilots safely landed the plane “and at all times had positive control of the airplane and all of the information necessary to perform that safe landing,” Boeing said.
“Initial inspection appears to indicate that a power control panel in the aft electronics bay will need to be replaced on” the airplane, No. ZA002, Boeing said. “We are inspecting the power panel and surrounding area near that panel to determine if other repairs will be necessary.”