After a flurry of problems and emergency landings in Japan, the Federal Aviation Administration today ordered all U.S.-based airlines to ground Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

This comes just hours after Japan’s two biggest airlines, All Nippon and Japan Airlines, grounded their fleet of 24 787s. On an All Nippon domestic flight today, instruments triggered emergency warnings due to a battery error and indications of smoke. That led to an emergency landing, which you can see in the dramatic video above. Inspectors later found a flammable liquid leaking from the main lithium-ion battery.

There is a fleet of 50 787′s flying today, while United Airlines is currently the only U.S. airline operating the aircraft with six jets.

Those 787s will remain grounded until it’s proven that the batteries are safe and in compliance.

Last Friday, the FAA said it would conduct a “comprehensive” review of Boeing’s 787 following a few electrical mishaps. On Jan. 7, there was a fuel leak problem on a Japan Airlines flight and a fire ignited in the battery pack of an auxiliary power unit of another JAL 787 in Boston.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to fly one — sans warning lights — here’s a neat virtual takeoff and landing from the cockpit of a 787.

Here’s the statement in full:

“As a result of an in-flight, Boeing 787 battery incident earlier today in Japan, the FAA will issue an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) to address a potential battery fire risk in the 787 and require operators to temporarily cease operations.  Before further flight, operators of U.S.-registered, Boeing 787 aircraft must demonstrate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the batteries are safe.

“The FAA will work with the manufacturer and carriers to develop a corrective action plan to allow the U.S. 787 fleet to resume operations as quickly and safely as possible.The in-flight Japanese battery incident followed an earlier 787 battery incident that occurred on the ground in Boston on January 7, 2013. The AD is prompted by this second incident involving a lithium ion battery.

“The battery failures resulted in release of flammable electrolytes, heat damage, and smoke on two Model 787 airplanes. The root cause of these failures is currently under investigation. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in damage to critical systems and structures, and the potential for fire in the electrical compartment.Last Friday, the FAA announced a comprehensive review of the 787’s critical systems with the possibility of further action pending new data and information.

“In addition to the continuing review of the aircraft’s design, manufacture and assembly, the agency also will validate that 787 batteries and the battery system on the aircraft are in compliance with the special condition the agency issued as part of the aircraft’s certification.

“United Airlines is currently the only U.S. airline operating the 787, with six airplanes in service. When the FAA issues an airworthiness directive, it also alerts the international aviation community to the action so other civil aviation authorities can take parallel action to cover the fleets operating in their own countries.”

UPDATE, 8:00 A.M. Jan. 17: Here’s a statement from Boeing:

“The safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority.

“Boeing is committed to supporting the FAA and finding answers as quickly as possible. The company is working around the clock with its customers and the various regulatory and investigative authorities. We will make available the entire resources of The Boeing Company to assist.

“We are confident the 787 is safe and we stand behind its overall integrity.  We will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to assure our customers and the traveling public of the 787’s safety and to return the airplanes to service.

“Boeing deeply regrets the impact that recent events have had on the operating schedules of our customers and the inconvenience to them and their passengers.”

Previously on GeekWire: FAA says Boeing 787 is safe, will still conduct comprehensive review

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.