Aviation

FAA Proposes Critical Maintenance Checks on Some Boeing 787 Dreamliners

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) in response to a report from Boeing indicating that certain inspections of the Boeing 787 main landing gear (MLG) were missed during production.

This oversight, attributed to human error, was discovered during the manufacturing process of four drag brace lower link assemblies of the MLG, where a required fluorescent penetrant inspection was omitted.

The FAA’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) revealed that the missing inspections were identified in a Boeing report. The report highlighted that the fluorescent penetrant inspection, crucial for detecting cracks in the MLG drag strut lower link assemblies, was not performed on four assemblies during their manufacturing.

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The FAA emphasized the potential risks associated with this oversight. If the issue is not addressed, there is a risk of MLG collapse, which could lead to a loss of directional control while the aircraft is on the ground. This scenario could increase the risk of a runway excursion or even fuel tank penetration.

The FAA’s subsequent investigation determined that the safety lapse was caused by human error and was isolated to a single technician. Undetected cracks could lead to the fracture of the part, creating an “unsafe condition” that may cause the landing gear to collapse, according to the regulator.

This finding comes at a time when Boeing is under heightened scrutiny from regulators. A mid-air blowout on one of its 737 Max jets in January uncovered manufacturing and quality lapses at its factories. In response, Boeing has been making strides to address these issues, including encouraging more employees to report problems they observe on the shop floor.

Additionally, in May, the FAA disclosed a separate investigation involving the 787 after Boeing alerted authorities to potentially missed inspections. These inspections were meant to confirm adequate bonding and grounding where the wings attach to the aircraft body.

Aviation

Qantas Reintroduces Airbus A380 Flights to Dallas/Fort Worth

Qantas Airways has announced a series of updates to its international network, including the return of its iconic Airbus A380 to the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) route.

Starting August 11, 2025, Qantas will resume operating the A380 between Sydney (SYD) and DFW, reinstating a service that was paused during the pandemic. The route will follow the existing schedule, with QF7 departing Sydney at 12:10 PM and arriving in Dallas at 12:30 PM, and QF8 leaving Dallas at 10:40 PM to arrive back in Sydney at 6:55 AM, two days later.

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The airline’s decision to bring back the A380s comes as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise. While the fleet consists of 10 aircraft, not all have been reactivated since being grounded during the pandemic. Currently, Qantas also deploys its A380s on other major routes including Sydney to Johannesburg (JNB), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), and Singapore (SIN).

In addition to the return of the A380, qantas airways has introduced new services and adjustments across its network. A new route from Brisbane (BNE) to Palau (ROR) has been launched, and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been reintroduced for flights between Brisbane and Los Angeles (LAX) as well as Auckland (AKL).

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Meanwhile, the airline has decided to discontinue its mainline service from Sydney to Seoul (ICN). Starting mid-June 2025, the route will be operated by Jetstar, Qantas’ low-cost subsidiary, which will increase the frequency from four flights per week to a daily service.

These changes come as Qantas looks to redeploy its mainline aircraft to other routes experiencing strong demand, qantas entertainment movie list with Qantas Group International CEO Mr. Cam Wallace noting the airline’s strategic adjustments to meet evolving travel patterns.