Following a series of safety-related incidents, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it would subject Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner to an unusual round of post-launch scrutiny.
In light of a series of recent events, the FAA will conduct a comprehensive review of the Boeing 787 critical systems, including the design, manufacture and assembly. The purpose of the review is to validate the work conducted during the certification process and further ensure that the aircraft meets the FAA’s high level of safety.
Note the reference to the certification process. Boeing, in its news release, called the FAA’s original scrutiny of the 787 “its most robust certification process ever.”
So both Boeing and the FAA have a vested interest in the aircraft’s proving itself safety-worthy.
Officials from Boeing and the FAA stressed that the design and manufacture of the plane are fundamentally sound, and that there is no recall in effect.
According to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, “We are confident that the aircraft is safe. But we need to have a complete understanding of what is happening. We are conducting the review to further ensure that the aircraft meets our high safety standards.”
In an interview aired this morning on NPR, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood echoed Huerta’s comments.
At press time, Boeing’s stock price was off 2.45 percent.
Reader Reality Check
Although I do find the Dreamliner’s problems increasingly troubling, I wouldn’t hesitate to fly on the aircraft.
You?
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