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7/26/09

Seattle Times: Boeing 787 may not fly this year because of structural flaw - by Dominic Gates

"787 battling structural problems"


For the complete report from the Seattle Times Newspaper click on this link

Boeing 787 may not fly this year because of structural flaw - by Dominic Gates

The structural flaw that delayed the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner is more complex than originally described by the company, and the plane's inaugural takeoff is likely at least four to six months away, say two engineers with knowledge of Boeing's problem. "It's got to take at least three to four months just to get something installed on an airplane," said a structures engineer who has been briefed on the issue. "It's definitely a costly fix to go and do this work."

Both engineers said the issue requires a thorough redesign of the plane's wing-to-body join, and the necessary parts will be very difficult to install on the test airplanes that have already been built.

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