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More Boeing Dreamliners grounded on safety concerns More Boeing Dreamliners grounded on safety concerns
(35 minutes later)
Boeing's troubled 787 Dreamliner continues to face problems as the US regulator and more airlines grounded the plane on safety concerns. Boeing's troubled 787 Dreamliner continues to face problems as more global regulators and airlines grounded the plane on safety concerns.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered US airlines to stop using 787s temporarily after a battery fault caused an emergency landing in Japan.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered US airlines to stop using 787s temporarily after a battery fault caused an emergency landing in Japan.
Chile's LAN was the first airline to comply and Japan's two main airlines had already taken similar steps. Airlines in Europe, Chile and India quickly complied by grounding their Dreamliners.
A string of issues have raised questions about the 787's future.A string of issues have raised questions about the 787's future.
In recent weeks Dreamliners have suffered incidents including fuel leaks, a cracked cockpit window, brake problems and an electrical fire. However, it was battery errors that have caused the most concern.In recent weeks Dreamliners have suffered incidents including fuel leaks, a cracked cockpit window, brake problems and an electrical fire. However, it was battery errors that have caused the most concern.
The FAA said that airlines must demonstrate battery safety before flights can resume. The FAA said that airlines must demonstrate battery safety before flights can resume. Boeing said it supported the FAA but added it was confident the 787 was safe.
Boeing said it supported the FAA but added it was confident the 787 was safe.
The FAA said that when it issues an airworthiness directive, it also alerts the international aviation community so that other authorities can take parallel action to cover the fleets operating in their countries.The FAA said that when it issues an airworthiness directive, it also alerts the international aviation community so that other authorities can take parallel action to cover the fleets operating in their countries.
Leithen Francis, from Aviation Week, said that could mean more bad news for Boeing in the coming days.Leithen Francis, from Aviation Week, said that could mean more bad news for Boeing in the coming days.
"When the FAA issues an airworthiness directive civil aviation and airlines around the world have to follow the FAA airworthiness directive, particularly in regards to the 787 because it a US-designed and developed aircraft," he told the BBC."When the FAA issues an airworthiness directive civil aviation and airlines around the world have to follow the FAA airworthiness directive, particularly in regards to the 787 because it a US-designed and developed aircraft," he told the BBC.
Finding answers
Boeing shares closed down more than 3% on Wall Street on Wednesday.Boeing shares closed down more than 3% on Wall Street on Wednesday.
"Boeing is committed to supporting the FAA and finding answers as quickly as possible," said Boeing chief executive Jim McNerney."Boeing is committed to supporting the FAA and finding answers as quickly as possible," said Boeing chief executive Jim McNerney.
"We are confident the 787 is safe and we stand behind its overall integrity. We will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to assure our customers and the travelling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to service."We are confident the 787 is safe and we stand behind its overall integrity. We will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to assure our customers and the travelling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to service.
"Boeing deeply regrets the impact that recent events have had on the operating schedules of our customers and the inconvenience to them and their passengers.""Boeing deeply regrets the impact that recent events have had on the operating schedules of our customers and the inconvenience to them and their passengers."
Complying airlines
United Airlines, the only US airline operating Dreamliners, said it would immediately comply with the FAA's directive and would begin re-accommodating customers on alternative aircraft.United Airlines, the only US airline operating Dreamliners, said it would immediately comply with the FAA's directive and would begin re-accommodating customers on alternative aircraft.
On Wednesday, All Nippon Airways (ANA) grounded its fleet of 17 Dreamliners when its flight NH 692 from Yamaguchi Ube was forced to land shortly after take-off. Chile's LAN announced it would suspend usage of its three Dreamliners in coordination with the Chilean Aeronautical Authority.
Indian aviation regulators also complied by ordering Air India to stop operating its 787s.
"The FAA has issued an advisory to ground the Dreamliners. We took a decision after that," said director general of civil aviation Arun Mishra.
"As of now there is no clarity on when the Dreamliners will be back in service. Boeing has to satisfy everyone with safety standards."
Before the order from the FAA, Japanese airlines had already grounded their Dreamliners after an All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight from Yamaguchi Ube was forced to land shortly after take-off.
A battery malfunction was identified as the cause of the diversion.
Japan Airlines then took similar action, grounding its seven Dreamliners.Japan Airlines then took similar action, grounding its seven Dreamliners.
Along with the six Dreamliners operated by United and three by LAN that means 33 out of 49 Dreamliners are not flying.
Mr Francis said this could have an effect on airlines currently considering ordering 787s, causing them to choose rival Airbus' A330 instead, which is a comparable aircraft and a proven product.Mr Francis said this could have an effect on airlines currently considering ordering 787s, causing them to choose rival Airbus' A330 instead, which is a comparable aircraft and a proven product.
Under investigationUnder investigation
Late on Wednesday, the FAA said it would work with the manufacturer and carriers on an action plan to allow the US 787 fleet to resume operations as quickly and safely as possible.Late on Wednesday, the FAA said it would work with the manufacturer and carriers on an action plan to allow the US 787 fleet to resume operations as quickly and safely as possible.
"The in-flight Japanese battery incident followed an earlier 787 battery incident that occurred on the ground in Boston on January 7, 2013," the regulator said."The in-flight Japanese battery incident followed an earlier 787 battery incident that occurred on the ground in Boston on January 7, 2013," the regulator said.
"The AD (airworthiness directive) is prompted by this second incident involving a lithium ion battery.""The AD (airworthiness directive) is prompted by this second incident involving a lithium ion battery."
It said the battery failures resulted in the release of flammable electrolytes, heat damage, and smoke, and the cause of the failures was under investigation.It said the battery failures resulted in the release of flammable electrolytes, heat damage, and smoke, and the cause of the failures was under investigation.
"These conditions, if not corrected, could result in damage to critical systems and structures, and the potential for fire in the electrical compartment," the FAA said."These conditions, if not corrected, could result in damage to critical systems and structures, and the potential for fire in the electrical compartment," the FAA said.