Laptop fire prompts medical treatment on American Airlines flight
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A passenger's laptop caught fire on an American Airlines flight, leading to one person receiving medical treatment.
- The flight landed safely, and emergency personnel met the aircraft upon arrival.
- The FAA warns about the risks of lithium batteries in electronics on flights, citing numerous incidents.
An American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport experienced a cabin fire when a passenger's laptop ignited during landing. The pilot reported the incident to air traffic control, stating flight attendants were attempting to extinguish the fire.
the pilot had reported a "cabin fire in the back of the airplane" to air traffic control, saying "the flight attendants are trying to put it out now"
Audio obtained by CBS News revealed the pilot's communication, mentioning that "about four to five passengers were burned by the laptop." One passenger received on-site medical attention and was released after the plane landed safely. American Airlines confirmed the flight "landed safely after reports of smoke from a customer's device during landing" and commended the crew's response.
I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop. The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft.
Emergency personnel met the aircraft at the gate as per procedure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued warnings regarding lithium batteries, which power laptops, noting they can overheat due to various factors like damage, water exposure, or improper charging. The FAA has recorded 58 such incidents this year, with battery packs and laptops being the most common culprits over the past two decades. The agency mandates that lithium batteries must be stored in carry-on baggage only.
landed safely "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."
Originally published by BBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.