What Happened
Regulator Acts to Prevent Potential Structural Integrity Threat
The US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered inspections of dozens of Boeing 787 Dreamliners due to a manufacturing issue that could lead to fatigue cracks in a critical part of the wing structure. The directive covers certain 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 aircraft, with only a small part of the worldwide fleet affected. The FAA says cracks left undetected could grow until the primary wing structure is unable to withstand the loads it was designed to carry, with potentially serious consequences for continued safe flight and landing. The directive was first reported by an unknown source.