A flight landed safely in Dallas after a passenger’s laptop battery caught fire mid-flight.
The incident happened on Aug. 21 as Flight 2398, which originated in Atlanta, approached Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Fox News reported.
“Cabin fire in the back of the airplane,” the pilot says in an air traffic control recording, CBS News reported. “The flight attendants are trying to put it out now.”
American Airlines confirmed the issue, telling Fox News that smoke was reported coming from the device during landing.
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“American Airlines flight 2398 landed safely at DFW after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing. We thank our crew for their professionalism and swift response to quickly contain the device,” a company spokesperson told Fox News.
The crew reported the battery fire after it left Atlanta and placed the laptop in a thermal containment bag, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Passenger Jessica Irgens told “Good Morning America” that the incident was “absolutely terrifying.”
“I just saw the smoke first, and then it all happened really fast,” Irgens said, according to WSB. “He was trying to get it away from him into the aisle.”
One person received medical attention but was treated at the scene and released.
The plane landed safely and the FAA is investigating.
CBS News reported that 133 people were on board
Lithium batteries found in devices like laptops and cellphones can pose a risk on airplanes because of “thermal runaway,” according to CBS News.
The FAA said, “Thermal runaway can occur without warning as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly packed.”
Lithium batteries are limited on flights because of the risk. They can only be placed in carry-on baggage. There are also size and quantity limits. Click here for all of the regulations.
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