Investigation into Jetstar cockpit fire

CANBERRA - The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into a cockpit fire aboard a Jetstar plane bound for Australia from Japan.

The aircraft is the same model as the Air France flight which plunged into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil last week, killing the 228 people aboard.

The Jetstar flight left Kansai International Airport in Japan just before 11pm (AEST) on Wednesday carrying 186 adult passengers, four infants and 13 crew.

The safety board has confirmed it has started an investigation into Flight JQ 20 which landed safely in Guam on Thursday.

"A team of investigators ... will travel to Guam this morning to commence the investigation," the ATSB said in a statement.

US and French aviation officials have also been informed of the incident.

It is the latest problem aboard an Airbus A330 following the loss of the Air France jet off the Brazilian coast and an unexpected mid-air descent of a Qantas jet last year.

Jetstar spokeswoman Simone Pregellio said 44 of the adult passengers and the 13 crew members were Australian.

Most of the others aboard the flight were Japanese nationals.

"There was smoke in the cockpit and small flames were seen on the right hand window," she said.

"The pilots quickly extinguished the fire which didn't extend to any part of the cabin area.

"We're sending a plane from Sydney to collect the passengers and crew, it will leave at 11am (AEST) this morning and is due to depart from Guam at six o'clock tonight to fly back to Brisbane," she said.

"The aircraft is only two years old, and will be held in Guam until the cause of the fire is established."

- AAP