The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an airworthiness directive requiring inspections of centre wing fuel tank sealant on 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to address a potential fire and explosion risk.
Regulators found that mandatory factory quality checks of fuel tank sealant had either been skipped or not properly verified during aircraft assembly. Missing or defective sealant could allow electrical sparks to develop inside fuel tanks during lightning strikes, potentially igniting flammable fuel vapours.
The directive will take effect on December 7 and requires airlines to carry out detailed visual inspections of sealant adhesion around the wing-root sections. Each aircraft inspection is expected to take approximately 34 work hours.
Any defects identified must be repaired using manufacturer-approved procedures. The inspections aim to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected Boeing 787 aircraft.
