The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing a proposal from Boeing to fix the problematic batteries used on the 787 aircraft.
The 787 aircraft have been grounded since the FAA last month issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD). The AD will remain in place until “operators of U.S.-registered, Boeing 787 aircraft … demonstrate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the batteries are safe.”
The much-anticipated 787 has caused headache after headache for Boeing. A number of the aircraft have experienced problems, including a cracked cockpit window and a fuel leak in addition to the battery problems.
“The FAA is reviewing a Boeing proposal and will analyze it closely,” the FAA said in a statement. “The safety of the flying public is our top priority and we won’t allow the 787 to return to commercial service until we’re confident that any proposed solution has addressed the battery failure risks.”
On the same day the AD was issued, a pair of Japanese airlines announced they grounded their Boeing 787 aircraft after a problem forced an All Nippon Airways 787 to make emergency landing.
An All Nippon Airways aircraft made an emergency landing at Takamatsu Airport in Japan. A battery problem and a burning smell in the cockpit were apparently responsible for the emergency landing, according to reports.
United Airlines is the only domestic carrier that operates the 787. The Chicago-based airline operates six of the aircraft.
