Industry news
New Boeing planes have tail fault
Posted Tue, 07 Feb 2012
American aerospace company Boeing has admitted that repairs are required to the tail sections of some of its new 787 aeroplanes.
The company has said that there are no immediate safety concerns regarding the five planes that have already been delivered to Japanese airline All Nippon Airways, but thorough inspections are ongoing to determine the planes that required refitting.
The new 787 carrier is the first major airliner to use a skin made almost completely from carbon fibre, which is supposed to be lighter and stronger than the aluminium alternative currently used on other aeroplanes.
However, the tail problem on some of the new 787s involves shims, which are spaces between the planes' skin and the parts that support it. The new planes, including the five delivered to All Nippon Airways, will be checked for the problem and if necessary refitted with replacements.
The Boeing 787 is a mid-size plane but it has been planned to be used as a long haul carrier, especially to destinations that have regular demand but not the required quantity to fill a bigger plane.
Copyright Press Association 2012