Dreamliner won’t fly until ‘1,000 per cent’ safe

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will not fly again until officials are “1,000 per cent sure” it is safe, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says. LaHood made his comments on Friday to reporters in Washington, after 50 Dreamliners were grounded around the world this week, amid growing concerns over the lithium-ion batteries.

U.S. and Japanese aviation safety officials wrapped up their initial investigation Friday of what caused warning lights to go off on an All Nippon Airways flight that was making an emergency landing.

A Japanese safety official said it was possible that excessive electricity may have overheated the battery and caused liquid to spill out. Pictures show a burned-out blue metal box with signs of liquid seepage.

Further inspections and checks were scheduled in Tokyo, with Hideyo Kosugi, a Japanese Transportation Safety Board inspector, adding, “We hope to produce a report as soon as possible . . . within a week. The United States analysis may take a bit longer than this.”

The Dreamliner, which is critical to Boeing’s future, is considered the most technologically advanced aircraft, made mostly of composite plastic fibre. Its lithium-ion batteries, which pack more energy and are faster to recharge, are potentially more volatile.

One report suggested investigators are looking at whether a bad batch of batteries is to blame, which would be a better outcome for Boeing, instead of a design flaw.

Most airlines are standing behind Boeing, expressing confidence in the next-generation aircraft, arguing recent problems are common with new aircraft.

“If you buy a car and it’s the first one, it will have teething problem,” said Ajay Tarbon, national sales manager for Ethiopian Airlines in Canada. “I’m sure Boeing will get this fixed sooner than everyone thinks.” Ethiopian Airlines, which has four 787 jets, had used the Dreamliner on its twice-weekly service between Addis Ababa and Toronto since November. With files from Star wire services