Airline News: JAL's Dreamliner run into problems

Firetrucks at Logan International

Japan Airlines has made news for something other than its KFC meals.  

And it ain't good for both the carrier and Boeing.

A small fire occurred in the cabin on a JAL 787 Dreamliner after it arrived at Boston's Logan International Airport.  No one was injured.

Reports show that the fire started in an auxiliary power unit battery in the rear of the aircraft.

The U.S. NTSB has started an probe into it. Similarly, authorities in Japan have also initiated investigations.

Boeing in the meantime has said that the plane is safe to fly and that teething problems are expected. One may remember similar issues with Airbus' A388 when it started to fly. 

This time however, the problems seem to be compounding.  

On Tuesday, the plane loaded with 181 passengers was going down the runway in Boston when the crew were alerted to a fuel leak.  The crew themselves had not noticed anything amiss and a pilot from another plane spotted the problem and informed them.

The take off was aborted.

The flight took off later in the day.

Here's my shtick.  What if the other pilot had not noticed the fuel leak? What if the electrical fire was not isolated (which it isn't)?

In 2010, a 787 test flight lost electrical power and had to make an emergency landing.  In July 2012, an engine failed during ground tests. In December 2012, United's 787 had to be diverted to New Orleans due to mechanical problems.

Maybe it is no big deal.  Maybe it is just growing pains.  Maybe things will work out like the A388.

Maybe it is better to prioritize safety over profits and do a Qantas and ground the plane system wide, until everything is sorted.

Meanwhile, Boeing shares fell on Wall Street because of the issues.