Airlines flying Boeing 787 Dreamliners need to inspect the planes to prevent engine failures or fires because of a manufacturing fault in the fuel line, a U.S. regulator said Wednesday.
Improperly assembled parts in Boeing's newest jet could cause the planes to run out of fuel, experience "engine power loss or shutdown, or leaks on hot engine parts that could lead to a fire," the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said in issuing a formal rule requiring U.S. carriers to inspect the fuel systems, Reuters reports. Boeing had issued a notice on November 11 alerting other early 787 customers.
All Nippon Airways is currently Boeing's biggest 787 operator, owning 16 of the 38 jets delivered to buyers so far. All but one of the planes delivered so far were made at Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington, rather than its plant in North Charleston, South Carolina.
The fuel leaks were caused by improper assembly of the couplings at the Boeing factories, the FAA said.
"These conditions, if not corrected, could result in fuel leaks, which could lead to fuel exhaustion, engine power loss or shutdown, or leaks on hot engine parts that could lead to a fire," the FAA said.
Boeing said that despite that there were "multiple layers of systems to ensure none of those things happen".
The safety order, known as an airworthiness directive, requires operators to inspect for correctly installed lockwires on the engine fuel line couplings within seven days of its publication.
Within 21 days, operators must inspect the couplings to verify they have been assembled correctly.
Airlines will watch closely to ensure aircraft are ready and that corrective measures are taken, given the cost of canceled flights.
Source: Reuters
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