Japan Airlines jet leaks fuel at Logan Airport

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A Japan Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner was spilling fuel as it was taxiing at Boston Logan International Airport Tuesday.

Officials said crews contained the spill on the aircraft, which was headed for Tokyo. This is the second incident involving the airline at Logan in two days.

There were 178 passengers and 11 crew members on board.

Authorities say the fuel was spilling out of the jet as it was taxiing for takeoff.

“About 40 gallons of fuel spilled onto the surface. None of that fuel went into the ocean, we contained it right away. It was reported first by a pilot in an aircraft behind the JAL flight,” said Edward Freni, MassPort Director of Aviation.

The plane was then towed back to the gate for evaluation. Officials say it was not a fuel leak, but a spill from a vent -- possibly from an overfill; something that happens occasionally, but is not dangerous for passengers.

“It was towed back to the gate, and the airplane was checked out by the mechanics and deemed it appropriate to go,” Freni said.

The flight was rescheduled for an afternoon departure on Tuesday.

On Monday, fire broke out in a battery pack in the belly of a different Japan Airlines Boeing 787 aircraft. The cabin filled with smoke after passengers had disembarked. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the fire.