# What's up with the worldwide Dreamliner grounding? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 18, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-worldwide-dreamliner-grounding/647566 "2013-01-18T00:18:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-worldwide-dreamliner-grounding/647566/41 "2013-01-21T01:28:45Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > Does the AIrbus A350 use Lithium Ion batteries as well? [Yes, though ostensibly not in the same manner or to the same extent](http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/avd_01_18_2013_p04-01-538151.xml), but also extensively so and they do recognize this may be an issue depending on the investigation outcome on the Boeing side. The 787 was, and the A350 is, plagued with delays. The market demanded that on the medium-widebody segment they come up with something more than just a “new and improved” version of an old reliable (contrast the narrowbodies, where everyone seems to be at peace with having yet one more generation of reengined/rewired 737 or A320 derivatives). Not that simple! ---
**Author:** ![AdamF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/adamf/32/6246_2.png) [@AdamF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AdamF)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-worldwide-dreamliner-grounding/647566/42 "2013-01-21T14:27:19Z")
> [@KCB615](#): > > The carbon fiber composite used on the 787 does not support combustion. The fire tests that were done on that composite material showed a greater resistance to burnthrough than the duraluminum currently in use on most large frame aircraft. Do you have a link? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-worldwide-dreamliner-grounding/647566/43 "2013-01-21T17:25:08Z")
I was looking at the sketches for the concept that preceded the Dreamliner, the Sonic Cruiser, which used canards and a large wing at the tail. It occurred to me that, with all the primary control surfaces clustered at the back of the plane, one could situate the cockpit at the back as well, with ventral windows that would give a good view for landing, and the need for long hydraulic lines would be greatly reduced. The biggest problem with that would be insulating the cockpit sufficiently against engine noise. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-worldwide-dreamliner-grounding/647566/44 "2013-01-21T17:39:53Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Yep. And the 787 uses a ±270 VDC power system. I know a \*lot \*more, but that’s all I’m allowed to say. I’m assuming you’re not kidding. Business contract to prevent copying? Military b/c design parallels with Defense designs? ---
**Author:** ![KCB615](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@KCB615](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KCB615)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-worldwide-dreamliner-grounding/647566/45 "2013-01-22T13:52:24Z")
> [@AdamF](#): > > Do you have a link? I do indeed: [http://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/misc/787\_arff\_data.pdf](http://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/misc/787_arff_data.pdf) (warning, obviously, a .pdf) ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-worldwide-dreamliner-grounding/647566/46 "2014-12-04T05:41:11Z")
The NTSB has issued a final report on the battery problems: > **[AIR1401.pdf](https://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2014/AIR1401.pdf)** > [@](#): > > Bad battery design and bad engineering practices were to blame for the fire aboard a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 in Boston in 2013, according to a final report (PDF) on the incident issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday. The NTSB found fault not only with the manufacturer of the battery, but with Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). > **[NTSB blames bad battery design—and bad management—in Boeing 787 fires](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/12/ntsb-blames-bad-battery-design-and-bad-management-in-boeing-787-fires/)** > > Maker of lithium-ion batteries didn’t foresee spreading short circuit danger. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-worldwide-dreamliner-grounding/647566.md?page=2)