A possibility might be that the Aft E/E bay has been made accessible in flight by removal of cabin floor decking, for real time minute observations to ascertain how better to make the system more compatible with the LithiumIon FARs.
It would be naive to think that Boeing is playing a boy scout role in trying to eliminate the issue. Or even solve the problem, beyond a minimal, and lobbied for, result that lifts the order to park.
'Best practice' is about getting back in the air. Not entirely, but when the self certifier and lead commercial interest in the investigation is not, cannot be, objective.....
The certifying criteria for this technology is cobbled together by the manufacturer, that is a known. The recent waiver of the FAR that prohibited LithIon batteries as cargo is case in point....How did BOEING ship replacement LIBs prior to January 7? RAILROAD? How did that FRP work, exactly?
Hersman is the one to listen to, FAA and Boeing? Not so much...
Last edited by Lyman; 8th Feb 2013 at 15:25.