LAN 787-8 (42224/205) CC-BBH arrives at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) on October 22, 2014.
(Photo by Michael Carter)
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration proposed requiring a fix for Boeing's 787-8 Dreamliner on Wednesday, a move prompted by "numerous reports of failures of proximity sensors" on the high-tech plane's wings.
A sensor failure could cause the plane to go off the runway while landing on a short runway or in adverse weather, the FAA said in a proposed airworthiness directive scheduled to be published on Friday.
The directive, if adopted, would affect 15 planes registered in the United States, the FAA said. FAA actions are often followed by non-U.S. airlines. Through the end of October, Boeing has delivered 197 787-8s worldwide.
"We have received numerous reports of failures of the proximity sensor within the slat skew detection mechanism assembly (DMA) leading to slats up landing events," the FAA said.
"It was determined that the failed sensors had broken magnet wires due to stresses induced by thermal expansion and contraction of an epoxy applied around them," the agency added.
The new rule would require 787-8 operators to replace the slat skew detection mechanism assembly within two years of the date the directive takes effect. The cost is estimated at $935 per plane.
Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The company had advised airlines in March about the problem, in a service bulletin, the FAA said. The FAA action would make action mandatory.
(Alwyn Scott - Reuters)
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