The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised concerns about the possibility of water seeping into the electronic systems of Boeing 787 jets due to faucet leaks, which could pose a safety hazard during flights.

In response to the issue, the FAA has suggested that the aircraft undergo repetitive inspections and replace any leaking faucet parts, reported the A.P. News. This decision was made following reports of water from lavatories penetrating the cabin floor and entering electronic equipment bays.

Boeing 787 Leaky Faucets

FAA further said that the leaking faucets in Boeing 787 aircraft could potentially cause harm to crucial equipment and jeopardize safe flight and landing. The U.S. aviation regulator has proposed ordering repetitive inspections and replacing faucet parts if leaks are detected. The Dreamliner is quite revolutionary in that it relies almost entirely on electrical systems to power the aircraft, unlike most others that may rely on pneumatics and bleed air in addition to electrical power.

In addition, the agency reported that an airline discovered wet carpeting in the cockpit of one of its planes and discovered "multiple" aircraft with leaking faucets when it inspected its entire fleet of 787s, though the airline was not identified.

Boeing Comments

In November, Boeing alerted airlines about the faucet leak issue, which was found to originate from a slow leak from an O-ring seal, resulting in about 8 ounces of water per hour. Boeing claimed that the problem was limited to specific 787s, while the FAA's mandate would apply to all 787s.

The FAA declared that the additional inspections were temporary, and the manufacturer was redesigning the faucet modules.

According to a Boeing spokesperson, the redesign is finished, and the company is collaborating with its supplier and clients to determine when the planes can be retrofitted with new parts.

Bottom Line

Jamco, a Japanese aircraft parts manufacturer, claims to be the sole provider of lavatories for all twin-aisle Boeing planes, including the 787, on its website but did not provide an immediate comment.

The FAA proposal will undergo a 45-day comment period before it becomes a final order. The order would affect 140 planes in U.S. fleets. FAA concerns over production defects have caused several delivery pauses in the last two years, but deliveries resumed after the most recent suspension.