JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) has grounded a Boeing 787-8 (JA834J) at Narita International Airport (NRT) near Tokyo today after white smoke was observed venting from the main battery yesterday afternoon (January 14). The battery showed signs of melting. The event happened during normal maintenance when the aircraft was on the ground.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the Boeing Company (Chicago) permission to conduct test flights again of the 787 if the batteries are properly monitored.
Meanwhile theย U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the FAA must review the “special conditions” used in approving lithium-ion battery use on the 787. The FAA originally considered the chance of a battery fire as very remote in approving the use. This assumption has proven to be a false assumption. Will lithium-ion batteries be permitted for the future use of the 787? If not, this could be a major delay in the program and a major financial hit for Boeing (787 operators are now talking about compensation).
A very good video by the NTSB Chairwoman on the JAL-Japan Airlines 787 battery fire at Boston:
Meanwhile Boeing has issued this statement:
“Boeing welcomes the progress reported by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the 787 investigation, including that the NTSB has identified the origin of the event as having been within the battery. The findings discussed demonstrated a narrowing of the focus of the investigation to short circuiting observed in the battery, while providing the public with a better understanding of the nature of the investigation.
The company remains committed to working with the NTSB, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and our customers to maintain the high level of safety the traveling public expects and that the air transport system has delivered. We continue to provide support to the investigative groups as they work to further understand these events and as we work to prevent such incidents in the future. The safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority.
The 787 was certified following a rigorous Boeing test program and an extensive certification program conducted by the FAA. We provided testing and analysis in support of the requirements of the FAA special conditions associated with the use of lithium ion batteries. We are working collaboratively to address questions about our testing and compliance with certification standards, and we will not hesitate to make changes that lead to improved testing processes and products.”
Hopefully for the sake of the company, the program and the airlines involved a quick solution can be found. However the bigger issue remains; areย lithium-ion batteries safe on airplanes?
Airbus, according to reports, may be taking a different approach now with the A350 given Boeing’s battery problems with the 787.
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. JAL’s Boeing 787-8 JA824J (msn 34834) lands back at Paine Field near Everett.
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