ALERT - 2nd Boeing 787 flight 22 Dec 1645 Z

[Seneca Driver]

At 1818Z, 787 captain concluded flight tests and asked for clearance to Boeing Field (KBFI) from area west of Seattle.

[Seneca Driver]

While heading to Boeing field after completing initial 787 flight test, they determined that they were not happy with the condition/state of the nose gear.   The chase pilot is saying that the "drag race" on the nose gear is tilted aft about 15 degrees.   They decided to pull out of the approach sequence to KBFI and to be re-vectored back out to the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Seattle to further inspect the situation.  The chase plane only has 30 mins of fuel left and they are trying to launch another chase plane from Paine field at this time. 

[Seneca Driver]

The problem is apparently with the nose gear door - they are doing "G-Loading" maneuvers to try get the door to re-align and it apparently has been successful and they are heading back to KBFI.  The chase plane is down to 185 gallons of fuel and has to leave.  Too bad that they are too low for RD tracking. 

[Seneca Driver]

The 2nd 787 has landed at KBFI at 1914Z.  The nose gear steering is apparently in-op and the plane apparently has to be towed to the ramp.  The T33 chase plane overflew the 787 and then declared "minimum fuel" to the tower - he came around and landed at 1917Z.  Quite a bit of excitement if I do say so. 

[itestoo]

Hi All

Boeing Flight test actually on <http://www.radarvirtuel.com/>
www.radarvirtuel.com around Seattle

<http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/radarvirtuel/files/Boeing/N787BA_V1.jpg>

Regards

Laurent

LFRN