Boeing's first 787 Dreamliner, ZA001, flew from Seattle's Boeing field to Palmdale, Calif., for decommissioning Thursday, nearly two years after its much-delayed maiden flight.
"Its Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines will be removed and it will remain in long-term storage before finding its way to a permanent spot in a museum," Flightblogger reported.
Boeing rolled out the airplane with much fanfare on July 8, 2007 (7/8/7) but quickly rolled it back into its Everett plant to replace temporary fasteners. And other problems with sections brought in from suppliers added more delays, eventually spurring Boeing to buy the Vought Aerospace Industries and Global Aeronautica plants in North Charleston, S.C.
Boeing delayed first flight by a final six months in June 2009, announcing it needed reinforce areas where the wings met the side of the aircraft. The airplane finally left the ground on Dec. 15, 2009.
During testing, ZA001 completed 518 flights, totaling 1,326 hours and 50 minutes, according to Boeing's 787 flight-test website.
Boeing reclassified the first three 787s to a research and development expense in August 2009, taking a charge of $2.5 billion, because the reworking destroyed the airplanes' commercial value. The first 787 ended up costing Boeing more than $4 billion, company sources told Flightblogger.
As for the aircraft's ultimate destination, it's worth noting that Seattle's Museum of Flight is home to the first 747, 727 and production 737. Here's hoping they get a new friend soon.
Read more:
http://www.seattlepi.com/business/boein ... z1fOMXlANY
Login
Register
FAQ
