Boeing suspends B787 test flights after in-flight fire

Boeing temporarily suspend test flights of the B787, following an onboard fire in the aft electrical equipment bay of test aircraft ZA002, forcing the aircraft to perform an emergency landing (AFP, 11-Nov-2010). Forty-two personnel were aboard the aircraft. Boeing stated it does not know the cause of the fire and does not know how long the flight suspension will last. The manufacturer has also been unable to determine whether the suspension of test flights will further delay the B787 programme. Boeing described the fire as the most serious incident in the aircraft's flight test programme. The US Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating the incident.