All Boeing 787 Dreamliner Grounded Following JAL Incident in Boston

[alberttky 0]

BOSTON >> An electrical fire filled the cabin of a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 with smoke Monday minutes after passengers disembarked following a non-stop flight from Tokyo.

 

The Massachusetts Port Authority's fire chief, Bob Donahue, said the fire at Boston's Logan Airport began in a battery pack for the plane's auxiliary power unit, which runs the jet's electrical systems when it's not getting power from its engines.

 

Fire crews using infrared equipment found flames in a small compartment in the plane's belly and had the fire out in about 20 minutes, he said. There was a flare-up later when a battery exploded, he added.

 

"Something caused this battery pack to overheat, ignite," Donahue said, adding it's too soon to know the cause.

 

The flight landed normally at about 10:15 a.m. Its 173 passengers and 11 crew members had already gotten off the jet when a mechanic spotted light smoke in the cockpit and cabin about 15 minutes later and notified Massport.

 

"When we arrived, it was a heavy smoke, and that was in three minutes, so this was advancing," Donahue said.

The mechanic was the only person on board when the fire broke out. One firefighter had skin irritation after contact with the chemical used to douse the fire, Donahue said.

 

The 787 is Boeing's newest plane, and the first was delivered in late 2011. In November 2010, a test flight had to make an emergency landing after an in-flight electrical fire. The fire delayed flight tests for several weeks while Boeing investigated.

 

Last month, a United Airlines 787 flying from Houston to Newark, N.J., diverted to New Orleans because of an electrical problem with a power distribution panel. No one was injured.

 

The 787 uses two lithium ion batteries — including one for the auxiliary power unit, according to a Boeing guide for firefighters dealing with the 787.

 

The rechargeable batteries, widely used in consumer devices, have some pilots worried because batteries being shipped as cargo are suspected to have caused or contributed to the severity of fires in cargo planes.

 

When Boeing proposed using the batteries in the 787, the Federal Aviation Administration issued special rules, including a requirement that they be designed to prevent overheating.

 

The FAA noted in its 2007 rule that, "In general, lithium ion batteries are significantly more susceptible to internal failures that can result in self-sustaining increases in temperature and

pressure. ... The metallic lithium can ignite, resulting in a self-sustaining fire or explosion."

 

The severity of overheating is higher in larger batteries, the FAA said in the rule.

 

The National Transportation Safety Board said it's sending an investigator to Boston. The Federal Aviation Administration also said it was investigating.

 

Boeing Co. spokeswoman Lori Gunter said the company was aware of the fire and was working with JAL. She said she couldn't immediately answer other questions because Boeing's technical team was focused on the investigation.

 

Boeing has delivered 49 787s, including seven to Japan Airlines. Another 799 have been ordered by airlines worldwide.

 

Ed Freni, Massport's aviation director, said JAL officials reported that the plane that caught fire Monday was delivered to the airline in late December.

 

JAL began nonstop service between Boston and Tokyo's Narita Airport using the Boeing 787 in April. A return flight to Tokyo was cancelled Monday and JAL was working to reschedule passengers, a JAL spokeswoman said.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20130107_Small_fire_sends_smoke_into_JAL_787_cabin_in_Boston.html

[Cire 0]

The most conveniently discounted threat possibility.. a lithium ion battery. Small but potentially deadly.

[Naim 6]

JA829J the plane is.

 

http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/01/07/boeing-dreamliner-reported-fire-logan-international-airport/1HCFhQuwAn8ELwuDg5oDgI/story.html

[Jeffery Lim 0]

The most conveniently discounted threat possibility.. a lithium ion battery. Small but potentially deadly.

I think several airlines has started to disallow lithium battery to be in the check in luggage. Got to know this when i flew to HKG using CX. According to them, only a few airlines are doing that now and other airlines will follow soon

[Alif A. F. 0]

Off-topic mode - Currently, the only hybrid car sold in Malaysia that uses lithium ion batteries is 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. Li-Ion batteries are more expensive, but more unstable despite having larger capacity than Ni-Mh batteries.

[flee 5]

Lithium ion batteries may be more unstable due to the pressurisation and depressurisation cycles. Perhaps this stresses the battery more, especially if it is also in use, discharging current.

[alberttky 0]

I wonder if the aircraft will be permanently unserviceable...

[Y. J. Foo 0]

I wonder if the aircraft will be permanently unserviceable...

That'd be a shame, since this a/c was barely a month old into service...

[zeqa 1]

yesterday my flight from Dubai to Doha- We use a Qatar 787. Very new & you can even adjust the window with the button

[Y. J. Foo 0]

Another JAL 787 incident at Boston, this time fuel leak.

From http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/japan-airlines-jet-leaks-fuel-at-logan-airport/

Japan Airlines Dreamliner Leaks Fuel At Logan Airport
January 8, 2013 2:24 PM

BOSTON (CBS) – A Japan Airlines jet leaked fuel at Logan Airport Tuesday, a day after a similar plane from the same airline caught fire at the airport.

The 787 Boeing Dreamliner leaked 40 gallons of fuel around noon before it was due to take off for Tokyo, Massport reported.

The jet was stopped on the runway and returned to the gate.

There are no reports of any injuries.

Carol Anderson, a spokesperson for Japan Airlines, told WBZ-TV this is not the same plane that caught fire Monday at Logan.

The NTSB is still investigating that incident, which is believed to have been an electrical fire.

According to WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Lana Jones, flight 007 is now scheduled to take off for Tokyo at 3:30 p.m.

Japan Airlines launched the first non-stop service from Logan to Tokyo’s Narita Airport using the new Boeing 787 back in April.

[xtemujin 0]

National Transportation Safety Board says 787 fire did severe damage

By Alwyn Scott; Editing by Gary Hill | NEW YORK | 8 January 2013 Tuesday | 4:05pm EST

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that the battery aboard a Japan Airlines Co 787 jet that caught fire in Boston on Monday had "severe fire damage" and that damage to the surroundings was limited to components and structures within about 20 inches.

 

The agency said the problems were in the aft electrical bay of the Boeing Co jet, and affected the auxiliary power unit, which was in operation at the time of the fire, which was reported around 10:30 am ET Monday.

 

The incident occurred just after the plane landed following a flight from Tokyo. Smoke from the fire was seen in the cabin of the plane, the NTSB said. The fire was put out about 40 minutes rescue and fire crews first arrived, it added.

 

(Reporting by Alwyn Scott; Editing by Gary Hill)

Edited January 9, 2013 by xtemujin

[Isaac 0]

I think several airlines has started to disallow lithium battery to be in the check in luggage. Got to know this when i flew to HKG using CX. According to them, only a few airlines are doing that now and other airlines will follow soon

Yes. CX is particularly strict about this.

[flee 5]

NTSB provides investigative update on Boeing 787 fire incident in Boston January 08

WASHINGTON - The National Transportation Safety Board today released an update on its formal investigation of Monday's fire aboard a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 at Logan International Airport in Boston. There were no passengers or crew on board at the time. One firefighter received minor injuries.

In addition to an investigator already on scene who visually inspected the airplane last night, the NTSB has sent two additional investigators to Boston and formed investigative groups to look at airworthiness and fire and airport emergency response. Senior Air Safety Investigator David Helson has been designated as the investigator-in-charge.

Parties to the investigation are the Federal Aviation Administration and The Boeing Company. In addition, the Japan Transport Safety Board has appointed an accredited representative and Japan Airlines will assist the JTSB as technical advisors.

Initial investigative findings include:

• The NTSB investigator on scene found that the auxiliary power unit battery had severe fire damage. Thermal damage to the surrounding structure and components is confined to the area immediately near the APU battery rack (within about 20 inches) in the aft electronics bay.
• Preliminary reports from Japan Airlines representatives indicate that airplane maintenance and cleaning personnel were on the airplane with the APU in operation just prior to the detection of smoke in the cabin and that Boston Logan Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting were contacted.
• Rescue and fire personnel and equipment responded to the airplane and detected a fire in the electronics and equipment bay near the APU battery box. Initial reports indicate that the fire was extinguished about 40 minutes after arrival of the first rescue and fire personnel. One firefighter received minor injuries.

 

Further investigative updates will be issued as events warrant. To be alerted to any updates or developments, please follow the NTSB on Twitter at twitter.com/ntsb.

NTSB Media Contact:

Office of Public Affairs

490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW

Washington, DC 20594

(202) 314-6100

Eric Weiss

eric.weiss@ntsb.gov

 

NTSB Photo:

 

A.net's CM posted a guide:

 

 

 

Just to orient people who are seeing the 787's aft equipment bay for the first time...

The photo is taken from the RH side of the EE bay, looking left. Right in the photo is forward in the airplane and left is aft. Mr Bauer's left hand is resting on an opening which extends to a hatch which goes down through the WTB fairing and exits the airplane. When cargo is loaded in the aft pit, this is the only way into the aft equipment bay.

Adjacent Mr Bauer's right hand is the control unit for the electric wing ice protection system. Each slot in the box represents the electric control function for a symmetrical pair of ice protection zones on each wing.

Above the APU battery slot, where Mr Baur is inspecting, is the APU power panel. This manages all power from the APU.

Directly behind Mr Bauer is the oft-discussed P100 power panel. The P200 panel is directly behind the photographer.

By Mr Bauer's left shoulder is a liquid cooled equipment rack (often referred to as an "HVDC" (high-voltage direct current) rack). This rack contains the ATRUs (auto transformer/rectifier units) and large electric motor controllers, which are the heart of the 787's more-electric system's architecture. There is an identical rack at the right shoulder of the photographer.

[BC Tam 2]

Wow, the NTSB actually tweet about their investigations ?!

Can't help but compare to what our DCA here would do - OSA, ISA, blank silence ....... ?

[Cire 0]

The fire is the latest fault found in the 787 since its commercial flight took place.

Besides this latest case, the leak (which was spotted by another pilot from another aircraft during taxiing), there's also this case of erroneous panel readings, and poor wiring assembly.

According to industry reads, normally a new aircraft would need a couple of years before all the teething issues are settled.

Japan based fleets suffered the brunt of all these technical kinks.

 

Well, let's hope that there won't be any more serious incidence other than the mentioned.

[flee 5]

Well, commercial operations are more stressful for the aircraft crews compared to testing. During testing, everyone is more alert and aware that the aircraft is flying a test programme. Commercial pressures mean that the aircraft has a schedule to keep and it also has to operate profitably! So these issues are quite typical for a new aircraft type because testing cannot uncover all the "faults" that only commercial operations can.

Edited January 10, 2013 by flee

[Naim 6]

The fire is the latest fault found in the 787 since its commercial flight took place.

Besides this latest case, the leak (which was spotted by another pilot from another aircraft during taxiing), there's also this case of erroneous panel readings, and poor wiring assembly.

According to industry reads, normally a new aircraft would need a couple of years before all the teething issues are settled.

Japan based fleets suffered the brunt of all these technical kinks.

 

Well, let's hope that there won't be any more serious incidence other than the mentioned.

 

Pity that it has to hit the Japanese first, who are nuts about QC.

[Lock SH 0]

QC about its own product but in no time JCAB (Japan Civil Aviation Board) is one of the major authority bodies which involved in aircraft certification. Otherwise, probably most of aircraft produced by A & B would be still on the drawing board.

 

 

[S V Choong 4]

I think several airlines has started to disallow lithium battery to be in the check in luggage. Got to know this when i flew to HKG using CX. According to them, only a few airlines are doing that now and other airlines will follow soon

Pretty much every device runs on Li-ion batteries nowadays....

[Cire 0]

Quality control is of the utmost important considering the hundreds of lives that are depending on it.

The technicians, engineers, ground crew etc. cannot have tinge of "tidak apa" attitude to their work, or else they live to regret it the rest of their lives if something were to happen.

My friends in the industry always lamented the sleepless nights after some medium load work done. Countless of ifs/possibilities were played over and over again in their heads. Every single details and replacement parts are personally scrutinised first, and confirm its in the bin, and checked before signature to endorse.

 

Respect !!

[khairuddin abu hanifah 0]

FAA opens review of Boeing 787 but stands by aircraft’s safety

 

By Aaron Karp | January 11, 2013

 

US regulatory officials have launched a full review of the Boeing 787, with a focus on the aircraft’s electrical power and distribution system, but have not grounded the aircraft.

 

US Dept. of Transportation, FAA and Boeing chiefs emphasized their confidence in the safety of the 787 Friday even as they announced the FAA will lead a “comprehensive review” of the Dreamliner program. A fire aboard a parked Japan Airlines 787 at Boston Logan Airport at the beginning of the week was the latest of a number of safety incidents for which the review will work to find root causes.

 

The review’s aim is to “validate the work we did in the [787] certification process,” FAA administrator Michael Huerta said during a press conference at DOT offices in Washington DC. He said there was no reason to ground any aircraft.

 

“A team of FAA and Boeing engineers and inspectors will conduct this joint review, with an emphasis on the aircraft’s electrical power and distribution system,” FAA said in a statement. “The review will also examine how the electrical and mechanical systems interact with each other.” It noted the review would include “the aircraft’s design, manufacture and assembly.”

 

Huerta pointed out the FAA performed 200,000 hours of technical work in certifying the 787. “Our review and our analysis are going to be very data driven and we will bring in whatever technical experts we need,” Huerta said. “What we’re very focused on is developing data. If we see issues, we’ll address them, but we have to see what the data shows.”

 

He added, “There is nothing I have seen that leads me to believe this airplane isn’t safe.”

 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes VP and 787 chief project engineer Mike Sinnett said earlier in the week that the 787 “has more electrical service than any other airplane in service.” He explained that the more electric nature of the 787’s architecture was a design choice enabling the aircraft to require almost no pneumatic power and providing fuel burn savings of around 2%.

 

Boeing chairman, president and CEO Jim McNerney said in a Friday statement that the company stands “100% behind the integrity of the 787 and the rigorous process that led to its successful certification and entry into service. We look forward to participating in the joint review with the FAA, and we believe it will underscore our confidence, and the confidence of our customers and the traveling public, in the reliability, safety and performance of the innovative, new 787 Dreamliner.”

The JAL 787 fire is believed to have begun in the 32-volt lithium ion battery that starts the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit; the 787 is the first Boeing aircraft to use a lithium ion battery.

 

The FAA’s review, which Huerta said will look at “the entire picture” of the 787 program, will be conducted as the US National Transportation Safety Board specifically investigates the JAL 787 fire.

 

US transportation secretary Ray LaHood said he would have no problem boarding a 787. Though he noted, “This plane is different than any other plane that has been manufactured in so many different ways.”

 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner, appearing alongside LaHood and Huerta at the press conference, said the 787 had undergone the “most robust certification process in the history of commercial aviation” and the new review is in many ways a formalization of ongoing, post-certification cooperation between the FAA and Boeing.

 

“We’ve logged more than 50,000 hours of flight” on the 50 787s now in service worldwide, Conner said. “We have complete confidence in the 787. It’s been more than 15 years since an all-new commercial airplane was certified and entered service in the US … Every new commercial airplane has issues when it enters service … We have complete confidence in our production system. We have no reason to believe the airplane isn’t safe.”

 

Huerta said he could not give a timeline for how long the review would take.

 

Source: ATW

[Naim 6]

Dreamliner's woes.

===

Factbox: Recent safety incidents for Boeing's new 787
Fri, Jan 11 2013

(Reuters)

 

Boeing Co's new 787 Dreamliner is the pride of the company's passenger jet fleet, but a series of incidents in the last few months have raised questions about its safety and image. Following is a list of the events:

2012

July - A General Electric Co engine on a 787 in North Charleston, South Carolina, breaks during a preflight test. The National Transportation Safety Board rules it a "contained" failure, meaning the broken pieces did not exit through the engine wall. GE orders inspections of the engines. The Federal Aviation Administration stops short of grounding planes for inspections.
December 4 - A United Airlines 787 with 184 people aboard is forced to make an emergency landing in New Orleans after experiencing electrical problems.
December 5 - U.S. regulators say there is a manufacturing fault in 787 fuel lines and advises operators to make extra inspections to guard against engine failures.
December 13 - Qatar Airways grounds one of its three 787s after finding the same electrical problem that affected the December 4 United flight.
December 17 - United confirms finding an electrical problem in a second plane in its 787 fleet.

2013

January 7 - A parked 787 operated by Japan Airlines catches fire at Boston Logan International Airport after a battery in an auxiliary power system explodes.
January 8 - A second 787 operated by Japan Airlines leaks fuel at Logan, forcing it to cancel its takeoff and return to the gate. The plane departs later.
Following a safety inspection, United finds a wiring problem in the same electrical system that caused the January 7 fire in Boston, the Wall Street Journal reports.
January 9 - Japan's All Nippon Airways Co cancels a 787 flight scheduled for a domestic trip within Japan due to brake problems.
January 11 - A cockpit window on an ANA 787 cracks during a Japanese domestic flight. The plane lands safely with no injuries.
A separate ANA 787 springs an oil leak from its left engine, which is discovered after the plane lands safely.
January 11 - Boeing's 787 Dreamliner will undergo a comprehensive review of its critical systems by regulators, the U.S. Department of Transportation says.
(Reporting by Ben Berkowitz; Editing by Alden Bentley, Nick Zieminski and Jeffrey Benkoe)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/11/us-boeing-787-factbox-idUSBRE90A0JP20130111

[Waiping 12]

A matter of pushing the technology too far i.e. bigger windows, new materials etc?

[Lock SH 0]

Keep on DREAMING ..........

 

 

Edited January 13, 2013 by Lock SH

[Alif A. F. 0]

A matter of pushing the technology too far i.e. bigger windows, new materials etc?

 

Although window dimming tech is quite interesting:)