Boeing changes 787 design following test plane fire
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Boeing will make some minor design changes to the 787 Dreamliner aircraft following an electrical fire on board one of its test planes earlier this month. The planemaker will update the design of its power distribution panels, as well as making changes to the systems software that manages and protects power distribution on the plane. Boeing’s engineers have determined that the fire was started either by a short circuit or a fault in the power distribution panel, caused by what it called “foreign debris”.
The test fleet will remain grounded while the changes are made, and a revised 787 schedule is expected to be finalised in the next few weeks. Whatever the outcome, the delivery schedule of the long-delayed Dreamliner is likely to be pushed back further into 2011. This will disappoint expectant airlines across the globe, including Air India, whose expansion plans rest on the delivery of numerous Dreamliners. Adjustments have already been made and the national carrier may now have to alter its plans once again.
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