Boeing’s sophisticated 787 Dreamliner jet is proving to be the problem child for Boeing as the problems keep returning one after the other. Boeing prefers to call them just glitches or teething problems.
The 787, known as the Dreamliner, is Boeing’s newest and most technologically-advanced airplane. The light carbon fiber body of the Dreamliner provides greater fuel efficiency, making longer routes possible. Boeing has been counting heavily on its success.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Japan became the launch customer for the Dreamliner with the first Dreamliner delivered to ANA in September 2011, more than three years behind schedule.
Boeing 787 has run into issues since its first commercial flight from Narita, Japan, to Hong Kong in October 2011. Within months of its launch, Boeing discovered a manufacturing error that required repairs in the fuselage section of some Dreamliners.
Thereafter, a series of emergency landings, fuel leakages and battery failures caused airlines worldwide to ground their fleets of 787s for safety investigations and to find solutions for battery issues and faulty wiring.
A fire aboard a grounded Japan Airlines 787 in Boston back in January of this year forced ANA to ground its fleet of 17 dreamliners. Following ANA’s decision to ground its fleet of 787 Dreamliners, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all 787s in the US within the same month.
After months of investigation and repairs, Dreamliners returned to the skies in the US after the FAA lifted the 787 flight ban near the end of April. But it appears the trouble is far from over as Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner is having troubles again.
Just a month back, a Boeing 787 caught fire at Heathrow Airport, London. ANA reported that three of its Dreamliners have shown an electrical wiring issue with their engine fire extinguishers.
Due to continued problems, Dreamliner is facing renewed scrutiny and questions are being raised about the air worthiness of the Dreamliners.
