Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered inspections of emergency locator transmitters (ELT) aboard the US-registered Boeing 787s, after a fire broke out aboard a parked 787 in London.

On 12 July, a 787-8 Dreamliner owned by Ethiopian Airlines caught fire while it was parked on the ground at London’s Heathrow airport.

The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) concluded that the fire started near the emergency beacons and recommended the operators deactivate the device on 787s.

The emergency beacon,manufactured by Honeywell International, is powered by a lithium manganese battery and is designed to send out a signal to help rescuers locate the wreckage following a crash.

FAA stated that the US federal aviation regulations do not mandate large commercial aircraft that are in scheduled service to be equipped with the emergency beacons. However, some of the aircraft have it installed as a safety precaution.

"The FAA is working with Boeing to develop instructions for operators in inspection of ELTs on 787 and it did not insist airlines should remove the device."

Currently, the FAA is working with Boeing to develop instructions for operators in inspection of ELTs on 787 and it did not insist airlines should remove the device.

These instructions would require operators to inspect for proper wire routing, any indications of wire damage or pinching, and also check the battery compartment for unusual signs of heating or moisture.

The FAA has communicated with aviation safety regulators of other countries and is set to issue an airworthiness directive soon, which would make these inspections mandatory.

The airworthiness directive comes just two months after the 787 was certified to resume commercial flights again following a three and a half month long grounding earlier this year due to problems with its lithium-ion battery system.


Image: The FAA’s new instructions would require operators to inspect for proper wire routing, any indications of wire damage or pinching, and check the battery compartment for unusual signs of heating or moisture. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.

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