Boeing’s conclusion that a short circuit or electrical arc caused by foreign debris in a P100 power distribution panel led to the November 9 fire aboard the second 787 flight test airplane might have come as a relief to those who feared the need for an extensive system re-design. But a month after the fire forced the emergency landing of ZA002 in Laredo, Texas, Boeing still hasn’t issued a new certification target and all six test aircraft remain grounded, leaving many wondering if what the company described as “minor” changes to the power distribution panels and updates to associated system software might still result in protracted delay.
On November 30 Boeing flew ZA002 from Laredo to Seattle after mechanics replaced the damaged P100 power distribution panel, repaired damage to interior composite structure and installed new insulation material. The P100 panel serves as one of five major power distribution panels on the 787. It receives power from the left engine and distributes it to an array of systems.
