Well if we put this into context, AirFrance the AIRLINE itself has a message reported of a Short circuit via ACARS from the plane Itself, In Systems (Electronics) Its an abnormal low-resistance connection between two nodes of an electrical circuit that are meant to be at different voltages. This results in an excessive overcurrent limited only by the Thevenin equivalent resistance of the rest of the network and potentially causes circuit damage, overheating, fire or explosion. Now if I read further on in my book, It says Common usage of the term implies a condition arising from failure of electrical insulation, from natural causes (lightning, wind, and so forth)
So the likelyhood could be a Lightning strike, in a storm (Possible, not defineable) and lightning strikes at, this is what can happen;
YouTube - An electric pole on fire