Boeing confirms ZA001 wing fix installed

Side-of-Body Installations Complete on First Boeing 787 Dreamliner

EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE:
BA) has completed installing reinforcements within the side-of-body
section on the first 787 Dreamliner.

The modification entails installing new fittings at 34 stringer
locations within the joint where the wing is attached to the fuselage.
Installations were completed yesterday.

Boeing expects to complete the installations on the static test
airframe and the second flight-test airplane in the coming days.

“Completing this work is a significant step toward first flight.
We continue to be pleased with the progress of the team and remain
confident the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner will occur before the
end of the year,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general
manager of the 787 program. “We will test the modification on the
full-scale static test airframe later this month. As soon as we confirm
the loads are being handled appropriately in the joint we will complete
preflight activities on the airplane.”

Once the modification is complete on the static test airframe,
it will be refitted with strain gauges and instrumentation required for
testing. Access doors, systems, seals and fasteners removed from
airplane No. 1 to provide access are being restored in preparation for
continued testing on the airplane. Boeing continues to install fittings
on the fatigue test airframe and the remaining flight-test airplanes.
Other airplanes will be modified in the weeks ahead. Overall, the work
on modifying airplanes is progressing well, Fancher said.

“We have a strong and capable team that has performed
exceptionally well,” Fancher said. “I’m very pleased with the team’s
dedication to meet our commitment to fly before the end of the year.”

After airplane No. 1 is restored, the flight-test team will
perform another set of gauntlet and taxi tests to ensure that all
systems are ready for flight. Fancher noted that with the exception of
a single high-speed taxi test, all remaining flight-test activities
have been successfully completed on the first flight-test airplane.