The Federal Aviation Administration's approval Wednesday for a
one-time ferry flight of a Boeing Co. (BA) 787 is separate from the
plane maker's pending request to conduct a series of test flights
to help pinpoint the cause of burning batteries on a pair of 787
Dreamliners last month.
The test flights also will be aimed at trying to verify
potential interim fixes to get the planes back into passenger
service.
The restrictions imposed on Boeing for the ferry flight are
revealing, however, because they underscore the FAA's focus on
assuring that pilots receive adequate warnings of potential battery
malfunctions on 787s. The crew on the airplane that will be
ferried, for example, prior to the flight will be required to
"perform a number of inspections to verify that the batteries and
(related) cables show no signs of damage," according to the
agency.
The FAA also said that before takeoff, pilots will be required
to "check for specific status messages' in the automated
maintenance-data system "that could indicate possible battery
problems."
While airborne, the FAA on Wednesday said pilots also will have
to "continuously monitor the flight computer for battery related
messages, and land immediately if (a warning) occurs."
The restrictions all relate to specific safeguards FAA officials
have been discussing with Boeing's technical experts since the 787s
stopped flying passengers in the middle of January.
Investigators previously determined that the crew of an All
Nippon Airways Co. (ALNPY, 9202.TO) 787 failed to look at such
battery-related maintenance message just before takeoff last month.
The plane made an emergency landing and evacuation during a
domestic flight, after pilots saw cockpit warnings of battery
problems.
A Boeing spokesman said the ferry flight, moving a plane to the
Seattle area from Texas where it was painted, is scheduled to occur
Thursday. The spokesman said that "while our work to determine the
cause of the recent battery incidents continues in coordination
with appropriate regulatory authorities and investigation agencies,
we are confident--as is the FAA--that the 787 is safe to operate
for this activity."
Boeing's statement also said the "safety of the crew on board is
our top priority."
Write to Andy Pasztor at andy.pasztor@wsj.com
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