Boeing 787 Flies Again

Boeing's changes to the 787 batteries have been accepted by the FAA.  The battery changes include a containment box, and venting outside the aircraft.  In-use batteries and controllers will be replaced.

Lithium ion batteries have a history of overheating.  By their nature of having high power density, the batteries can be dangerous.  Relying on these batteries for the 787, instead of proven older technology batteries, was a risk that was not needed to achieve most of the airplane design benefits.

With two onboard 787 fires this year, Boeing's estimate for battery mean time to failure was radically incorrect.  These changes are designed to protect life after a problem, not to prevent the problem.  I won't feel comfortable flying a plane with this technology for years - if ever.

The problem of lithium-ion batteries overheating is not new, and consumer groups and the aviation safety communities have long been concerned. Battery packs contain cells that sometimes contain microscopic metal pieces, which can become overheated when they come into contact with other components.