The 787's latest problem mirrors production issues discovered over 2020 and 2021 that included improperly fitted shimming that led to paper-thin gaps between surfaces on the Dreamliner's fuselage.
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The problem involves a fitting for the 787's horizontal stabilizer installed by a Boeing production facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, the company said. The horizontal stabilizer, located at the base of an aircraft's tail, allows a plane to maintain longitudinal balance while flying.
The FAA said the leaks could damage critical equipment and lead to a “loss of continued safe flight and landing.” The agency said one airline found wet carpet in the cockpit of a plane and, when it inspected its entire fleet of 787s, found “multiple” planes with leaking faucets.
The problem involves a fitting for the 787's horizontal stabilizer installed by a Boeing production facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, the company said. The horizontal stabilizer, located at the base of an aircraft's tail, allows a plane to maintain longitudinal balance while flying.
Boeing's Sanderson isn't defending the delays, but stresses that “All 787s in service and in our inventory are perfectly safe to fly.” The planemaker sees a silver lining with learnings applied to build even better 787s and new aircraft like the next-generation 777-9.
The Dreamliner is a successful aircraft, still in production with more than 1600 delivered or on order. The list price for a new Boeing 787-8 is $239 million dollars.
While the 787 Dreamliners have not been grounded, the FAA had ordered a halt to deliveries of the widebody jet between May of 2021 and July of 2022 as it looked into questions about quality control during its assembly process.
The Boeing 787 is one of the newest planes to come into passenger service. First delivered in 2011, the aircraft has become a favorite for airlines thanks to its extensive range and fuel efficiency. And, for passengers, the travel experience was much better compared to older aircraft.
The typical lifespan of airlinersThe composite-driven Boeing 787 Dreamliner is designed for 44,000 flight cycles. These jets can theoretically last several decades with an average of two flight cycles a day. Unlike commercial airliners, fighter jets are unique due to their mission requirements.
The Boeing 787 is known to be a more comfortable and efficient aircraft than the 747, especially for long-haul flights. There are objective differences between both planes. The 787 has newer engines, two fewer of them and more electrical (rather than hydraulic) systems, which means much less cabin noise.
The largest operators at that time were All Nippon Airways (74), United Airlines (64), American Airlines (50), Japan Airlines (47), Etihad Airways (39), Hainan Airlines (38), Air Canada (38), Qatar Airways (37), British Airways (35), Air India (27), Ethiopian Airlines (27), and other airlines operating fewer numbers of ...
This high aspect ratio wing design combined with efficiency enhancing raked wing tips allow the 787 to be one of the fastest commercial aircraft (Mach 0.85 cruise speed) while consuming less fuel than today's comparably sized aircraft.
However, particularly high praise should be given to older aircraft, such as Boeing's 737-600 and 737-900 models, that have never had a hull loss, despite having been in service since the turn of the century.
It's the latest in a long and very expensive litany of 787 quality woes. The affected attachment fitting is provided by a supplier and installed on the horizontal tail at Boeing's manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City. The defect is a small, paper-thin gap in the attachment, Boeing said.
Both have the same type rating so system wise they're pretty much the same; a pilot who enjoys the 787 systems would feel the same about a 777 (give or take minor difference). Flying wise not to sure! I think the 787 is a lot smoother to handle and the 777 is a bit longer. But it all comes down to personal preference.