US regulator approves Boeing 787 battery system design changes
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E-mail Xinhua, April 20, 2013
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Friday that it has approved Boeing Co 's design for modifications to the battery system of Boeing 787s, a crucial step in returning the fleet to flight after being grounded for more than three months.
"A team of FAA certification specialists observed rigorous tests we required Boeing to perform and devoted weeks to reviewing detailed analysis of the design changes to reach this decision," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta in a statement.
The FAA said it will issue instructions to operators next week for making changes to the aircraft and will publish a final directive that will allow Boeing 787s to return to service with the battery system modifications.
The agency said it will require airlines that operate Boeing 787s to install containment and venting systems for the main and auxiliary system batteries, and to replace the batteries and their chargers with modified components.
To ensure proper installation of the new design, the FAA said it will "closely monitor" modifications in the U.S. fleet.
FAA has ordered U.S. carriers to ground their 787s since Jan. 16, following a battery fire at a Boeing 787 in Boston, Massachusetts, on Jan. 7.
Boeing 787 is the first airliner to use lithium batteries, which can recharge faster and store more energy than other types of batteries of an equivalent size.
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