FAA Approves Boeing 787 Battery Tests

Stephen Pope

Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 09:06 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has approved Boeing's plan to test redesigned lithium-ion batteries for the 787 Dreamliner, aiming to get the grounded aircraft back in service.
Boeing's plan includes internal battery changes, improved insulation, ceramic-plated spacers, and a new containment and venting system to minimize the risk of short-circuiting and fires.
If testing proceeds smoothly, the FAA could give final approval by mid-to-late April, potentially allowing 787s to return to service in late April or early May after retrofitting the existing fleet.

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The FAA on Tuesday approved a plan to test changes to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s lithium-ion batteries in a bid to certify a new design and get the grounded airliners back in the air.

The Boeing plan includes changes to the internal battery components to minimize the possibility of short-circuiting, which can lead to overheating and fires. Among the changes are better insulation of the battery’s cells and the addition of a new containment and venting system, the FAA said in a statement.