Heathrow Dreamliner: Probe Into Cause Of Fire

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 13 Juli 2013 | 23.39

Air accident experts are continuing their investigation into the cause of a fire on board a Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet at Heathrow Airport amid concerns the aircraft type could be grounded again.

The plane, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, caught fire while on a remote parking stand shortly after 4.30pm on Friday, but nobody was on board and there were no injuries.

Thousands of travellers suffered long delays, though, after both runways at the airport were closed to all flights for an hour and a half while emergency crews dealt with the blaze.

The runways have reopened but Heathrow is warning there will be some disruptions to services on Saturday and is advising passengers to check with their airline before setting off.

The US National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a representative to London to assist the Air Accidents Investigation Branch with its inquiry into the incident.

Ethiopian Airlines said the aircraft had been parked at Heathrow for more than eight hours before smoke was detected.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, Thomson Airways said a Dreamliner flight to Florida had to be diverted back to Manchester on Friday due to a "technical issue".

ncident involving Ethiopian Airlines plane at Heathrow airport Foam surrounds the Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner

Earlier this year, Boeing temporarily withdrew the Dreamliner from service for modifications after concerns that batteries on board could cause fires.

The company's shares fell 4.7% to $101.87 on the New York Stock Exchange on news of the Heathrow incident.

Travel expert Simon Calder told Sky News: "It's entirely possible that the Dreamliner could be grounded, which I think would be unprecedented in the history of aviation to have an aircraft type be grounded twice in quick succession.

"If that were to happen, clearly, airlines would be very badly affected. They'd have to completely reconfigure their fleets."

The Ethiopian Airlines jet involved in the Heathrow fire was the first Dreamliner to fly after the aircraft type was grounded.

Earlier this week, Thomson Airways became the first British carrier to operate the Dreamliner. It has placed an order for eight of the planes.

The company had hoped to take delivery of the first of its 787s in time to start Dreamliner operations in May but these were delayed due to the battery problems.

Damage to the Ethiopia Airlines Dreamliner. Damage to the top of the Dreamliner's fuselage

Thomson said its Dreamliner flight to Florida was turned back to Manchester as a "precautionary measure".

A spokeswoman said: "Thomson Airways can confirm that flight TOM126 travelling from Manchester to Sanford, Florida, experienced a technical issue and the aircraft returned to Manchester Airport, as a precautionary measure.

"The safety of our customers and crew is of paramount importance and we would like to apologise for the delay caused."

The battery problems followed endless production difficulties for the Dreamliner, which has been marketed as a quiet, fuel-efficient aircraft carrying between 201 and 290 passengers on medium-range routes.

It should have entered passenger service in 2008 but it was not until October 2011 that the first commercial flight was operated by Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways.

British Airways has ordered 24 Dreamliners and Virgin Atlantic 16. It said it "remains committed" to taking the first of them in September next year.

A spokeswoman said: "Virgin Atlantic is in regular communication with Boeing to understand all the technical issues around the aircraft

"We are confident that Boeing and the relevant authorities are working hard to ensure that the appropriate action is being taken."


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