Airplane Belongs To JAL

FAA officials say a fire was reported at Boston's Logan International Airport involving a Boeing Dreamliner belonging to Japan Airlines which had recently landed and routinely disembarked passengers. The airplane flies a non-stop Tokyo-to-Boston route for the airline.

The Boston Globe reports that, according to the FAA, the fire occurred as the airplane sat at the gate. While the fire was reportedly not visible, the airplane was surrounded by emergency equipment for several hours after the fire was reported.

Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald said the department had been called to the airport to assist airport firefighters at about 1040 EST after a report of an electrical fire on an airplane. One government official said that the fire appeared to have started in the cargo hold where avionics wiring is located.

Boston.com reports that the investigation is focusing on a battery in the cargo hold. Massport Fire Rescue Chief Robert J. Donahue said that the battery was part of an APU that is used only "when the plane is on the ground and its engines are turned off." Smoke was reported in the cabin shortly after the passengers had deplaned. He said the fire was extinguished within an hour.

The NTSB is sending inspectors to Boston to examine the airplane. JAL had no immediate comment.

(JAL Dreamliner image from file)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov