If it isn't one thing it is another, at least that is what officials at Boeing have to feeling these days.
With the company dealing with their 747's cracking, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSA) haven't forgotten about the Dreamliner and the lithium-ion batteries that caused cabin fires in an Air Nippon Airways' jet, in Boston's Logan International Airport, on Jan. 7., and, according to USA Today, while continuing to search for the cause of the battery fire in their 787 airplane, the NTSA has two hearings planned for April to explore whether lithium-ion batteries are safe on jetliners.
The board will have the first forum in mid-April to discuss battery technology with transportation safety experts. The investigative hearing later in the month will focus on the design and certification of the Dreamliner's battery system, reported USA Today.
Thursday's announcement of the forums came the same day that the NTSB released an interim report that detailed how the fire occurred and how investigators have taken apart and tested the failed battery. But, the board drew no conclusions about the exact cause of the fire and hasn't made any recommendations.
"The NTSB is also continuing to review the design, certification and manufacturing processes for the 787 lithium-ion battery system," the report said, as reported by USA Today.
Marc Birtel, a Boeing spokesman, called the interim report a positive step toward completing the investigation.
"The Boeing team has worked tirelessly in support of the NTSB to help develop an understanding of the event and continue to do so," Birtel said, according to USA Today.
Since the Air Nippon Dreamliner fire, the FAA, along with safety regualtors around the globe ruled Boeing's 787 be grounded until further notice.
Boeing officials have proposed changes to house the lituim-ion battery in fireproof shells, which should prevent overheating. The goal is to get planes back in the air in experimental flights within weeks.
However, no decision has been made on the proposals yet. And FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, who is reviewing it, said last week he has no timetable for approving flights. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has also said he wants to be "1,000% sure" the plane is safe before returning it to the sky, according to USA Today.
Huerta said he expected a report from technical experts this week evaluating the proposal. Even if the plan is approved, Huerta said on Feb. 27, there would be "a great deal of testing, a great deal of further analysis and reengineering before these planes are back in the air," stated by USA Today.
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