The future of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner hit an unexpected pocket of turbulence today, as a fire aboard a test aircraft forced an emergency landing in Texas yesterday, prompting a halt of all further flights pending an investigation, according to The New York Times.

Flames were visible near the rear section of the plane that was caused by a fire which broke out in one of the electrical bays, according to Reuters, who quoted an unnamed source with specific knowledge of the incident, but was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The incident occurred while the plane was airborne at 1,000 feet, and the fire affected electrical systems which forced the plane to switch to backup power before a safe landing was made. No one onboard was injured, according to Reuters.

Airline industry analysts fear that the delay in safety testing will prevent Boeing from making its first scheduled deliveries of the plane by March of 2011, according to the Times. This will dampen the company’s ambitions to overtake European rival Airbus in total aircraft sales, and reestablish the American aviation industry as the world’s largest.

However, EADS, the parent company of Airbus is facing difficulties of its own. A Quantas Air A380 had to make an emergency landing last week when one of its Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines exploded after takeoff on a flight from Singapore to Sydney.