Boeing 787 Dreamliner Will Be Reviewed By FAA

The FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, say they plan to conduct a comprehensive review of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, focusing on its electrical systems and quality controls used while it is being manufactured. FAA officials said they would conduct the review after two incidents earlier this week, one involving a fire and the second a fuel leak.

At a news conference on Friday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood released a statement. La Hood said, “This review will help us look at the root causes and do everything we can to safeguard against similar events in the future,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

Also at the news conference was FAA Administrator Michael Huerta who said, “We believe this is a safe aircraft.” Huerta said the FAA would review all aspects of the new 787, including design and production. But, they will focus heavily on the electrical components of the plane.

In 2011, the new 787 Dreamliner went into service. It relies more heavily on electrical components than previous airplane models. It is also more fuel-efficient because if it is made from lighter composite materials instead of aluminum.

Boeing officials said that they welcome a review of the new 787 and that the FAA’s scrutiny did not diminish the company’s confidence in the airplane according to NBC News.

The FAA’s plan to review the airplane came after they spent months monitoring various electrical problems and other operational issues affecting the plane. But, the battery that caught fire Monday on a Japan Airlines flight to Tokyo was was specially prompted the review.

Analysts say the review is just a sign the FAA is doing its job. NBC News reports Richard Aboulafia, vice president of analysis with Teal Group, said:

“There’s no reason to suspect this plane is being unsafe, but it’s important to review procedures, technology and manufacturing in light of what’s happened.”

Aboulafia added that the review is unusual but only because the new 787 is a brand new plane with a lot of new technology on it. “There’s nothing that would make you question the safety of flying,” he said.