The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised concerns about potential issues with the ram air turbine (RAT) forward fittings on certain Boeing 787 aircraft, specifically the -9 and -10 models. The alert comes after multiple suppliers reported that these fittings might have been made with substandard titanium. Although only a limited number of aircraft are affected, each of these models will need to be inspected to verify the type of titanium used. If a RAT forward fitting is made with inferior titanium, it could fail during deployment, leaving the aircraft without backup hydraulic and electric power.
In response, the FAA is proposing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for these specific Dreamliner models. The directive follows reports indicating that the RAT forward fittings might have been manufactured using an incorrect titanium alloy. The titanium in question is possibly a Grade 1 or 2 commercially pure unalloyed titanium, which lacks the strength and durability of the aerospace-grade Grade 5 Ti-gAI-4V alloy. If not addressed, this issue could lead to the loss of backup power and even cause the RAT to detach from the aircraft. The proposed directive would require inspections using high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) or handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers to determine the titanium alloy used. If found substandard, the fittings would need to be replaced with the correct material.
The FAA’s move aims to ensure the safety and reliability of these aircraft. The directive is a proactive step to address potential risks and maintain the high safety standards expected in aviation. It’s crucial for airlines operating these models to comply with the inspections and make necessary replacements to avoid any operational disruptions.
#AviationSafety #Boeing787 #FAARegulations
Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
