News item: a Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" jet on a test flight made an emergency landing in Texas after smoke was detected in the main cabin. Only one person was injured but it’s the latest setback for the problem-plagued airliner.
Some industry observers are now wondering whether the Dreamliner is turning into a nightmare.
Boeing not long ago confirmed to Motley Fool that the new plane will arrive at All Nippon Airways (ANA) in February — this is more than two and a half years after the airline company was supposed to deliver the plane.
“According to an Aviation Week story, Boeing’s been running ’round the airline industry, telling other buyers of the plane, who thought their wait was over, that it’s only just begun,” said Motley.
The report said between design changes necessitated as the 787 undergoes testing, and postproduction tweaks to planes already built, it looks like some deliveries could be postponed anywhere from three to 10 months past their most recent promised delivery dates.
The fire incident was only the “latest setback in development of the new plane,” said the AP.
Boeing has orders for 847 Dreamliners, a very unusual number for a plane still in development.
Delays have been a recurring problem.
Following the incident, Boeing cancelled more test flights.
"Until we understand the event, we’re not going to schedule any new flights," Boeing spokeswoman Lori Gunter tells CNN.
By David Wilkening
