A Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its way to San Diego from Tokyo had to turn around and return to Japan because of maintenance problems Tuesday.
Japan Airlines Flight 66 returned to the Narita International Airport about one hour 20 minutes after takeoff.
According to Japan Airlines, the plane was diverted because a maintenance message indicated a problem with the slat system.
The Dreamliner aircraft have experienced many safety issues since they first took flight in 2009. In January, a 787 was grounded in San Diego after Japan’s two biggest airlines grounded all 787s for inspection.
Another flight (JL 65) was scheduled to leave Lindbergh Field for Narita at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. That flight has been delayed until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Japan Airlines’ Web site.
The Dreamliner flights are the first non-stop flights between San Diego and Asia. Service began last December.
