San Diego-Bound Airliner Faces Mechanical Problems

A Japan Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for San Diego returned to a Tokyo airport shortly after takeoff today, because of a problem with the moveable slats on the leading edges of the wings.

Flight 66 from Narita International Airport turned back shortly after departure because a cockpit message indicated a problem with the slat system, Carol Anderson of Japan Airlines told City News Service.

The flight was expected to be delayed about 20 hours, she said.

Dreamliners were grounded worldwide for four months earlier this year, following a battery fire aboard an All Nippon Airways plane and other mishaps. The Boeing 787 was allowed to fly again at the end of April.

The San Diego-Tokyo flight is Lindbergh Field's first direct flight to Asia.

-- City News Sevice