The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the fire on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft at Boston's Logan International Airport on Monday (January 7), the agency said.
A mechanic inspecting the Japan Airlines Compay Limited jet discovered smoke in the cockpit while performing a routine post-flight inspection. There were no passengers on board.
Federal Administration officials said the fire began in a battery in the undercarriage of the craft just minutes after the last passenger of the 173 passengers and 11 crew members had left.
The battery was part of the auxiliary power unit that is only used when the plane is on the ground. Thermal imaging devices were used to locate the source of the fire.
Firefighters were dispatched and wisps of smoke could be seen coming out of a side door in the undercarriage of the plane.
The 787 is used for a Boston to Tokyo nonstop, 13-hour flight.
No injuries have been reported.
- Reuters
