Two 787s left stranded at Victorville in California (ZA001) and at Rapid City in South Dakota (ZA005) by the test fleet’s grounding following an on board fire on ZA002 on November 9 have been given dispensation by the US FAA to return to Seattle.
Boeing says the return follows initial investigations into the fire which have revealed it lasted less than 30 seconds, that the entire incident lasted less than 90 seconds, and that the aircraft “could have concluded the event in a configuration that could have been sustained for the time required to return to an airport suitable for landing from any point in a typical 787 mission profile.”
ZA002 will remain in Texas where the incident happened and will receive a new power panel and insulation material there, as well as undergo minor structural repairs.
Boeing says no decision has been made as to when flight testing will resume, and will not comment as to what impact the incident and subsequent suspension of flight testing may have on the program.
