Laptop Catches Fire on US Flight, Passenger Treated at Airport

A passenger was treated after a laptop caught fire aboard an American Airlines flight during its journey to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, United States.

American Airlines Flight 2398, travelling from Atlanta, Georgia, landed safely at the airport on Friday after smoke was reported from a passenger’s device.

The pilot alerted air traffic control to a “cabin fire in the back of the airplane”, saying flight attendants were attempting to extinguish it.

According to audio obtained by CBS News, the pilot reported that around four to five passengers may have been burned by the laptop.

The device was eventually contained inside the aircraft, allowing the Airbus A321 to continue its landing.

After the plane reached Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, it taxied to the gate where emergency personnel were waiting as a precaution.

American Airlines said the aircraft landed safely following reports of smoke from a customer’s device and praised its crew for acting quickly to contain the situation.

One passenger received medical treatment at the airport but was later released.

The incident highlights the potential risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in laptops, phones and portable chargers.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that lithium batteries can overheat when they are damaged, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed.

The FAA has recorded 58 verified incidents involving lithium batteries so far this year, including cases involving smoke, fire or extreme heat.

Over the past two decades, laptops have accounted for 84 verified battery-related incidents, according to the regulator.

The FAA requires lithium batteries and devices containing them to be carried in passengers’ carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage, where a fire could be more difficult to detect or contain.

Airlines and aviation authorities have increasingly warned passengers about battery-related fires. Power banks, in particular, have been linked to a growing number of incidents on aircraft.

Despite the fire, Flight 2398 landed safely, with emergency crews responding after the aircraft reached the gate.

(BBC News)