787 battery X-rays may offer clues to problems

[SEATTLE] Investigators in Japan are studying X-ray images of a lithium-ion battery from when it left the factory, hoping these may shed some light on why it appeared to overheat on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet earlier this week.

They will be looking for possible anomalies in the battery, which is made by Japanese firm GS Yuasa, and hope this could also help them resolve two similar battery incidents on separate 787 planes a year ago.

The battery damaged on a Japan Airlines (JAL) Dreamliner this week could provide more clues if it has survived in better condition than the ones scorched in incidents on a JAL 787 in Boston last year and on an ANA Holdings 787 in Japan just a few days later.