Solar Impulse journey delayed -- but this time don't blame the electric plane - CNET

The Solar Impulse 2's sun-powered plane jouey around the world has been delayed again, but the fault lies this time with the inflatable hangar used to protect the aircraft while it's on the ground.

Organizers said Tuesday moing they postponed for at least a "few days" a plaed leg of the trip from Dayton, Ohio, to Allentown, Pesylvania. The hangar deflated after a fan power failure and "lightly touched" parts of the plane.

"After a first check by the engineers, we do not see any damage. However, this will have to be studied more carefully over the next few days," the Solar Impulse organizers said.

The delay sounds much less serious than a nine-month grounding in Hawaii resulting from battery damage crossing the Pacific Ocean. After resuming the flight, it took three days to cross the rest of the ocean at an average speed of about 40mph (65kmph) before landing in Califoia.