Still More Problems for Boeing’s Dreamliner

On the heels of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) review of the 787 Dreamliner following its series of troubles with the aircraft comes the news that yet another problem. A Japan All Nippon Airways 787 experienced a fuel leak Sunday (Jan. 13, 2013) during an inspection at Narita International Airport outside of Tokyo. The aircraft reportedly was the same one that had a fuel leak in Boston last week. Only about 50 of the 787’s are in operation and some of them have experienced a fuel leak, a cockpit window crack and a computer malfunction that appears to be tied to the electrical system. Several domestic flights were canceled as a result of the problems. The aircraft is the latest state-of-the-art high tech airliner that the Japanese airlines are among the top customers of Chicago-based Boeing. Nearly 800 more have been ordered by various airlines. Boeing and the FAA have defended the aircraft’s operation noting that the FAA logged 200,000 hours of technical work before certifying the plane to fly some 15 months ago. The Dreamliner is the first all-new commercial airplane to be certified in 15 years.