Boeing claims 787 fix is permanent
Feb 21, 2013, 11:05 AM | Updated: 11:30 am
Boeing said it's not pitching a temporary fix for its batteries to the FAA on Friday. It's proposing a permanent one. (AP Photo/file)
(AP Photo/file)
Boeing said it’s not pitching a temporary fix for its batteries to the FAA on Friday. It’s proposing a permanent one.
The Seattle Times reports Boeing believes it has developed a permanent fix to the 787 problems, and it hopes to have them flying again quickly.
Boeing has reportedly ordered 200 high strength containment boxes from an Auburn contractor. They are designed to hold the lithium-ion batteries. Boeing wants 100 of them ready by March 18.
In addition to adding the boxes, Boeing plans to add more space and insulation between the battery cells. The fix also included a high pressure venting system to take any smoke directly out of the airplane.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Ray Conner will meet with FAA head Michael Huerta on Friday. The FAA will ultimately decide when the Dreamliner can get into the air, but it might wait on that decision until the National Transportation Safety Board determines the root cause of the battery problems.
The entire Dreamliner fleet has been grounded for more than a month after battery fire inside an empty All Nippon Airways plane in Boston and a smoking battery in an ANA flight forced an emergency landing in Japan.
