The US Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed it is requiring inspection of Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliners after the discovery of fuel leaks traced to a manufacturing flaw at Boeing plants.
The fuel leaks were due to the improper assembly of the couplings at the Boeing factories, the FAA said.
The order “makes mandatory inspections already recommended by Boeing,” the US plane maker said.
The 787 is the first airliner with a composite-plastic fuselage and wings, instead of aluminum.
United, the only US operator, flies three 787s. Another 33 are in service with foreign operators, the FAA said, in a statement carried by Reuters/Bloomberg.
Japan’s All Nippon Airways was the 787 launch customer and has 16 of the jets.
Qantas cancelled an order for 35 Dreamliners in August, but will still receive 15 next year to be assigned to Jetstar.
