Paint peeling on the wing of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The problem of paint peeling on composite parts of Boeing's B787 airplanes is not the first year. Currently, Boeing has applied to the U.S. Aviation Administration with a request to temporarily allow the use of special adhesive tape "speed tape" on the wing and moving parts of the wing of Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplanes. We remind that the wing and part of the fuselage of Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplanes are made of composite materials.

According to the latest data, practically all operators of the above-mentioned type of airplane, regardless of the climatic conditions of operation, have faced a similar problem: All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, United airlines, American Airlines, Air New Zealand and others. All air carriers regularly report about peeling of paint coating on their airplanes of this type due to the impact of ultraviolet rays, at the same time, this is a temporary measure - in order to restore the peeling paint, Boeing plans to add an additional top layer that blocks ultraviolet radiation. The "speed tape" is designed to protect the paint from further peeling. Boeing is not the only airplane company facing paint problems on composite surfaces.

This problem is due to the fact that the Boeing 787-Dreamliner is a new generation airplane made of materials that are relatively new to aviation - composites are about 80% composite. Given the ultraviolet radiation, as well as the flexibility of the wing in flight, the applied layers of paint cannot withstand and peel off in large fragments. According to the manufacturer's analysis, this peeling is a cosmetic defect and in no way affects the airworthiness and safety of the airplane.

In addition to the above, Uzbekistan Airways JSC is experiencing a similar problem with Boeing 787 airplanes, where the temporary solution, as recommended by Boeing, was also the use of special adhesive tape "speed tape".

Boeing Concern is developing a special procedure for the method of applying paint coating to surfaces and according to preliminary data will finalize all the necessary procedures in the coming months of this year. According to the results of the conducted negotiations, the concern-manufacturer is ready to bear all expenses on repainting of aircraft surfaces and their flight to the contractor's base.  Taking into account the above-mentioned, Uzbekistan Airways JSC has planned for the near future a phased repainting of three Boeing 787-Dreamliner aircrafts.

It should be noted that this problem has no impact on flight safety and comfort of Uzbekistan Airways Boeing 787-Dreamliner aircraft.