Boeing has been given permission to start test flights with its Dreamliner aircraft, which have been grounded worldwide for the last three weeks due to problems with its batteries catching fire.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US last night (February 7) cleared Boeing to start limited flight tests using one of the company’s test aircraft to examine how the battery and electrical systems respond under flight conditions.
The B787s were grounded in mid-January after one of the batteries caught fire on an empty aircraft and another malfunction caused an emergency landing.
The FAA said in a statement: “As with all test flights, these will be subject to a number of restrictions, including extensive pre-flight testing and inspections and in-flight monitoring in order to ensure the highest levels of safety.
“The flights will be conducted in defined airspace over unpopulated areas.”
Currently there are 50 Dreamliners in service with eight airlines across the world – all of which have been grounded since January 17.
Boeing said it was “working around the clock” to solve the problem with the Dreamliner’s batteries.
“This flight test activity will allow Boeing to conduct testing of the inflight performance of the airplane's batteries, which will provide data to support the continuing investigations into the cause of the recent B787 battery incidents,” said the aircraft manufacturer in a statement.
“The company has an extensive team of hundreds of experts working around the clock, focused on resolving the B787 battery issue and returning the B787 fleet to full flight status. We are working this issue tirelessly in co-operation with our customers and the appropriate regulatory and investigative authorities.
“At the same time, a dedicated team of professionals is continuing to produce B787s and prepare them for delivery.”
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