FAA: Boeing must fix sensor on Dreamliners

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The Federal Aviation Administration, in a directive to be released Friday, will propose a mandatory fix on Boeing's 787-8 Dreamliners.

The action was prompted by "numerous reports of failures of proximity sensors" that could cause the aircraft to veer off in adverse weather or on short runways, the FAA said, and that "it was determined that the failed sensors had broken magnet wires due to stresses induced by thermal expansion and contraction of an epoxy applied around them."

The directive would require a replacement of the slat skew detection mechanism assembly on each plane within two years of the adoption of the directive. The FAA added it would apply to the 15 787-8 planes in use in the United States.

Globally, Boeing has delivered 197 of the planes. FAA recommendations are typically followed by carriers outside the United States.