JAL

A Japan Airlines (JAL) operated Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet has made an emergency landing at Honolulu, Hawaii, due to a possible problem in its hydraulic system.

Carrying 171 passengers, the JAL Flight JL002 reportedly gave a warning message about falling pressure of oil while en route from Tokyo to San Francisco, forcing pilots to shutdown one of the aircraft’s engines.

JAL spokesperson told CNN that the when one engine of an aircraft with twin engines is stopped, the airline must declare an emergency so the flight can have priority to be guided by air traffic control and apply for landing.

"It was not battery trouble; the cause is being investigated," the spokesperson added.

There have been no reports of injured passengers or crew.

"It was not battery trouble; the cause is being investigated."

The incident comes only few days after Boeing’s announcement of the discovery of hairline cracks in the wings of 40 787 Dreamliners that are currently under production.

Also found on larger 787-9 Dreamliner variant that is currently undergoing flight tests, the cracks may delay the delivery of these aircraft by a few weeks.

According to the aircraft maker, a change in manufacturing by supplier Mitsubishi Heavy Industries may be considered as a cause for the fractures.

The emergency-landing of JAL jet and discovery of cracks on wings are latest in a series of setbacks for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner since it entered service two years ago, including a global grounding in January 2013 due to battery problems.

Image: Boeing 787 Dreamliner in JAL livery. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.

Defence Technology