This Boeing 787 Dreamliner made the aircraft's first commercial flight. It's seen here at Narita airport near Tokyo just before takeoff.
(Credit:
All Nipon Airways)
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered airlines to ground their fleets of Boeing 787 Dreamliners until the plane's onboard batteries are proven safe to operate.
Today's action comes on the heels of Japanese carriers All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines grounding their 787s after a battery fire forced the evacuation of an ANA flight earlier today.
"As a result of an in-flight, Boeing 787 battery incident earlier today in Japan, the FAA will issue an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) to address a potential battery fire risk in the 787 and require operators to temporarily cease operations," the FAA said in a statement. "Before further flight, operators of U.S.-registered, Boeing 787 aircraft must demonstrate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the batteries are safe."
A similar incident occurred January 7 when a Japan Airlines 787 on the ground at Boston's Logan International Airport caught fire, the cause of which was traced back to a battery pack in an auxiliary power unit. As a result of that incident, FAA announced it would conduct a comprehensive review of the aircraft.
Other mishaps in recent weeks have involved oil and fuel leaks, a cracked windshield, and false warnings from an electrical panel.
United Airlines is the only U.S. airline currently operating the 787, with six airplanes in service.
The FAA said it was working with Boeing and carriers to develop a solution to the problem and resume operation of the 787s as soon as possible. The agency said the root cause of the failure is 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.
CNET has contacted Boeing for comment and will update this report when we learn more.
FAA grounds Boeing's 787 Dreamliner after battery fires
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FAA grounds Boeing's 787 Dreamliner after battery fires
