Boeing 787 Plans Approved
Boeing’s certification plan for the redesigned battery system on its 787 has been approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — the first step in returning the airplane to flight.
Boeing next will conduct testing and analysis to demonstrate that the battery system complies with applicable safety regulations.
“This comprehensive series of tests will show us whether the proposed battery improvements will work as designed,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We won’t allow the plane to return to service unless we’re satisfied that the new design ensures the safety of the aircraft and its passengers.”
The FAA grounded all U.S.-registered 787s in January after an in-flight battery problem on an All Nippon Airways domestic flight in Japan. Other civil aviation authorities around the world immediately took similar action.
Boeing subsequently redesigned the internal battery components “to minimize initiatio…
