Federal Aviation Administration to run thorough check on Dreamliner

THE US Federal Aviation Administration will run a thorough check on the troubled Boeing 787 Dreamliner for defects after a recent battery fire broke out and cracks in the cockpit window and oil leaks were discovered.

"This review will help us look at the root causes and do everything we can to safeguard against similar events in the future," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The review will initially start in Seattle, and is likely to expand to other locations in the following months. Boeing responded in a statement: "Regular reviews of programmes and technical progress are an important part of the validation and oversight process that has created today's safe and efficient air transportation system."

The company said it is "confident in the design and performance of the 787. It is a safe and efficient airplane that brings tremendous value to our customers and an improved flying experience to their passengers."

Boeing said the plane has experienced 50,000 flight hours with more than 150 daily flights. "It's in-service performance is on par with the industry's best-ever introduction into service - the Boeing 777. Like the 777, at 15 months of service, we are seeing the 787's fleet wide dispatch reliability well above 90 per cent."

A team of FAA and Boeing engineers and inspectors will look into the plane's electrical power and distribution system, in particular how the electrical and mechanical systems work together.

The FAA is taking action to tell the public that the Dreamliner is safe to fly. FAA administrator Michael Huerta said: "We are confident that the aircraft is safe. But we need to have a complete understanding of what is happening."

The rival Airbus A380 had problems too. In 2005 Qantas delayed delivery six months due to "manufacturing issues". In 2006, Airbus delayed delivery one year because of "wiring problems", resulting in millions paid in damages. Airbus CEO Christian Strieff quit three months into the job, blaming "interference and politics", and in 2010, a Qantas flight from Singapore turned back because of an engine failure.