The horizontal stabiliser of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was successfully tested by a Finmeccanica company, Alenia Aeronatuica, early this month.

The destructive test was overseen by Boeing engineers, representatives of the US Federal Aviation Administration and members of the European Aviation Safety Agency, in Alenia’s Pomigliano plant in Naples.

Previous testing and assessment had revealed the horizontal stabiliser to fulfil minimum requirements, withstanding 150 percent of the maximum load it would ever encounter whilst air bound.

However, this still required destructive testing, which establishes exactly how much the stabiliser can endure prior to failing.

This procedure was the final testing requirement in the seven months of examination that has been undertaken by both Alenia and Boeing.