Boeing 787 Battery Problem

(2/21/2013) If this finding is final, then the reason caused many airlines to ground their Boeing 787 aircrafts is due to miswiring.

According to this news: "A probe into the overheating of a lithium ion battery in an All Nippon Airways Boeing 787 that made an emergency landing found it was improperly wired, Japan's Transport Ministry said Wednesday. ... The Transport Safety Board said in a report that the battery for the aircraft's auxiliary power unit was incorrectly connected to the main battery that overheated, although a protective valve would have prevented power from the auxiliary unit from causing damage." At this moment, it is not clear that the miswiring is a single episode or a more systematic problem that spreads to all 787 aircrafts. But Boeing needs FAA to certify a fix to lift the grounding and Boeing need to show this solution is adequate.

How much will it cost Boeing? It is hard to estimate. But ANA (that found 787's problem and ground the flight first) will experience $1.1 million per day to ground its 787 flights. This quality issue definitely shows that it is very costly to airlines and Boeing. (Note, on 3/12/2013, FAA approves Boeing's solution for the battery problem.)