An American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas experienced an emergency as a passenger’s laptop caught on fire. Up to five passengers suffered burn injuries and one received medical treatment.
Emergency Midflight as Laptop Catches Fire
The Airbus A321 experienced an emergency when a passenger’s laptop caught fire at the back of the aircraft. Reports of smoke added to the incident while the cabin crew tried to put out and contain the fire. The laptop was placed in a thermal bag within five minutes. Cabin crew also moved the laptop from the back to the middle of the aircraft to place it in an open, centralized area away from the aircraft’s structural walls, fuel tanks in the wings, and emergency exits. This also made it easier for crew members to monitor the laptop.
BBC News reported that the plane made a safe landing at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The aircraft was then taxied to the gate with emergency personnel waiting. This included medical teams and airport emergency responders. The medical teams evaluated the injured passengers, and one person received treatment before being released.
Dangers of Thermal Runaway
Most mobile phones, tablets, and laptops are powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. However, these batteries pose a threat, also known as thermal runaway. They can overheat, emit smoke and in rare cases catch fire and burn. This can be caused by previous damage that creates a short circuit, which subsequently causes the battery to melt or catch fire.
When thermal runaway occurs, it is important to know how to manage the situation. Flight attendants are usually the first line of defense during a cabin fire. Generally, the device should be cooled to prevent the battery from overheating. Moreover, it is also important to follow safety precautions and protocols as thermal runaways can reach 700 degrees Celsius which can cause serious burn.
What can we do as passengers to minimise the possibility of thermal runaway on aircraft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
