The nightmare continues for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, and now two Arizona companies have found themselves talking to federal investigators about the problems that have grounded the 787.
At issue are the plane's lithium-ion batteries.
Federal investigators are now looking into the factories where the new plane's battery and battery chargers were made.
Among the companies being asked to take part in that investigation -- Securaplane in Tucson and UTC Aerospace here in Phoenix.
Neither company is talking specifics about the investigation, only to say they are cooperating with investigators.
As for the battery itself, Boeing is the first to use lithium-ion batteries on an airliner.
It's the same type of battery technology used on new smartphones, but obviously on a much larger scale.
"These lithium-ion batteries on an aircraft are being subjected to much greater temperature extremes, much greater pressure extremes, because those airplanes are going up to 40,000 feet and much higher loads of electricity. So certainly when you see your iPhone, magnify that a thousand times and all of a sudden you got a battery like that on one of these airplanes. But I'm sure they would've thought of all of that. Sometimes things are just missed," says Timothy Mccullough, aviation legal expert with Gordon & Rees.
The two Arizona companies involved in the investigation don't make the battery, but instead components that help power the battery.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:17:02 GMT
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:52 GMT
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:20 GMT
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:21:42 GMT
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
A Scottsdale restaurant is trying to repair its image after a disastrous appearance on the FOX TV show Kitchen Nightmares. It led to a worldwide backlash.
A Scottsdale restaurant is trying to repair its image after a disastrous appearance on the FOX TV show Kitchen Nightmares. It led to a worldwide backlash.
Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to rejuvenate an Internet icon that had fallen behind the times.
After falling woefully out of fashion, Yahoo wants to be cool again while catering to the capitalistic demands of its shareholders. That goal led CEO Marissa Mayer to make a $1.1 billion bet on online blogging forum Tumblr...
A big job fair will take place Monday and dozens of positions need to be filled. One of the companies participating in the event is Go Daddy and they don't take part in these fairs often.
A big job fair will take place Monday and dozens of positions need to be filled. One of the companies participating in the event is Go Daddy and they don't take part in these fairs often.
It's been a week since Amy and Samy Bouzaglo's bistro was featured on the FOX hit show. It showed them yelling at Chef Gordon Ramsay, at their customers, and even at their employees.
It's been a week since Amy and Samy Bouzaglo's bistro was featured on the FOX hit show. It showed them yelling at Chef Gordon Ramsay, at their customers, and even at their employees.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
