FAA officials inspect Dreamliner

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Aviation inspectors from the U.S. board a grounded Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Japan to investigate whether a worldwide no fly ban should be lifted.

The fleet was grounded after an All Nippon Airways Dreamliner made an emergency landing earlier this week due to problems with the jet's battery.

Federal Aviation Administration investigator, Eric West.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) INVESTIGATOR ERIC WEST, SAYING:

"We're here to look at the situation and that's it for now. We don't have much information at all."

The Japanese Transport Safety Board said the battery from the grounded ANA flight was blackened and carbonised and is currently being inspected.

Some analysts say the grounding could cost ANA alone more than 1.1 million US dollars per day.

Japan is the biggest market for the Dreamliner, with ANA and local rival Japan Airlines operating almost half of the 50 Dreamliners in service.

Japan Airlines has since cancelled eight flights between Tokyo and San Diego affecting nearly 1300 passengers.