The FAA said it was “looking into” the incident at Logan airport, which was reported after 10.30am local time, 15 minutes after passengers had left the 787 operated by Japan Airlines. The jet had arrived from Tokyo.
Although new aircraft suffer glitches, the fire on the 787 at Boston could reignite concerns about the safety and reliability of the wide-body jet. It has endured a long series of production problems and delays, and has encountered some issues with its electrical systems since belatedly entering service in 2011.
Massport, the Boston airport’s operator, said it had located the fire on the jet in one of the aircraft’s auxiliary electrical systems – which power functions such as cabin lighting. After the fire was extinguished, a battery exploded, causing another fire.
The only injury was minor skin irritation to a firefighter, probably from the material used to put out the fire.
The Japan Airlines 787’s planned return flight to Japan had been cancelled after the fire, Massport said.
Japan Airlines was one of the first operators of the 787, after it entered service in September 2011 with ANA, another Japanese airline, more than three years late.
Some of the delays to the 787 programme were because of a previous electrical fire, in November 2010, during a test flight.
The Dreamliner has also run into issues with its electrical systems – which are one of its key selling points because they are supposed to reduce fuel consumption – since being delivered to airlines.
Last month, a 787 operated by United Airlines flying from Houston to New York had to be diverted to New Orleans after developing what was thought to be a fault with one of its generators. Also last month, Qatar Airways grounded one of its 787s because of issues with its electrical systems.
The 787 is supposed to set new standards in aircraft technology partly through its electrical systems, but also because its fuselage and wings are largely made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic rather than the traditional aluminium.
The use of lightweight carbon fibre reduces the aircraft’s fuel burn, but the new technology contributed to production delays on the 787, together with Boeing’s extensive use of outsourcing.
The 787 attracted more than 800 orders from Boeing’s customers before the first delivery, making it the fastest-selling jet in the US manufacturer’s history.
Some of the delays to the 787 programme were because of a previous electrical fire, in November 2010, during a test flight.
The Dreamliner has also run into issues with its electrical systems – which are one of its key selling points because they are supposed to reduce fuel consumption – since being delivered to airlines.
Last month, a 787 operated by United Airlines flying from Houston to New York had to be diverted to New Orleans after developing what was thought to be a fault with one of its generators. Also last month, Qatar Airways grounded one of its 787s because of issues with its electrical systems.
The 787 is supposed to set new standards in aircraft technology partly through its electrical systems, but also because its fuselage and wings are largely made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic rather than the traditional aluminium.
The use of lightweight carbon fibre reduces the aircraft’s fuel burn, but the new technology contributed to production delays on the 787, together with Boeing’s extensive use of outsourcing.
The 787 attracted more than 800 orders from Boeing’s customers before the first delivery, making it the fastest-selling jet in the US manufacturer’s history.
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