Smoking Boeing 787 results in suspension of Dreamliner test flights

Boeing customers waiting patiently for delivery of their Dreamliner's got one more bit of not so good news about the plagued 787. The most recent event within the star-crossed 787’s development happened Tuesday. On a examination flight smoke within the cabin forced pilots to Laredo, Texas for an emergency landing. Additional examination routes are on hold for now as Boeing searches for a cause and deals with other issues that have delayed 787 production, including issues with Rolls-Royce motors that have surfaced following the British companies products failed in flight on 2 different airlines last week. Source for this article – Boeing stops 787 Dreamliner test flights after emergency landing by Personal Money Store.

787 Boeing involved

The Laredo Airport in Texas had been about to determine the Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved. It had just left Yuma, Arizona on a test flight. There were reports coming in from the pilot. Apparently the back of the primary cabin had smoke in it. There had been a safe landing for the 787. Then the 42 people within the crew went out emergency exit chutes immediately. One person had been injured. The company didn’t say how long it would take to determine the cause of the problem. The smoke could have come from wiring, lighting or other electronic systems within the aircraft. Boeing ruled out the Dreamliner’s Rolls-Royce engines and said rumors the 787 lost power were untrue.

The facts of the Dreamliner

Boeing's future will depend on the 787 Dreamliner products. It is a fuel-efficient aircraft. It’s the first airliner within the world built from composite materials and uses 20 percent less fuel that other planes its size. The 787 had been at first scheduled to enter service in Might, 2008. The production had been delayed because outside suppliers have created collaboration challenges. December 2009 had been when the Dreamliner had its first test flight. Probably the most ever ordered for a plane being developed has happened with the 787. In fact, 850 have already been ordered around the world.

Boeing’s future on hold

Boeing has experienced many difficulties when it comes to getting the Dreamliner flying. The suspension of 787 test flights is just one of these. The Rolls-Royce engine has become a problem after two separate in-flight engine failures last week aboard Airbus A380s. Of the 25 Dreamliner's that have made it to the flight line so far, 17 are to be fitted with Rolls-Royce engines. Boeing management has told Wall Street investors that deliveries will take longer than expected and production numbers could be lower than previously forecast. Boeing stock fell. There had been a 3 percent drop.

Articles cited

CNN

cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/10/boeing.dreamliner.test/index.html?npt=NP1

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSN1014450020101110

Seattle Times

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013385417_dreamliner10.html