American Airlines flight lands safely after laptop battery fire on board
American Airlines Flight 2398 landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport after a laptop battery caught fire during landing. Flight attendants contained the blaze with a thermal bag, and one passenger was treated at the scene. The FAA is investigating.
An American Airlines flight landed safely in Dallas after a laptop battery caught fire on board, prompting flight attendants to contain the blaze and emergency personnel to meet the aircraft upon arrival. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident and said it is investigating.
American Airlines Flight 2398 was approaching Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Friday after departing from Atlanta when the crew reported a laptop battery fire, according to the FAA. Flight attendants contained the fire using a thermal containment bag, the agency said. The Airbus A321 landed safely at DFW at about 6:55 p.m. local time.
American Airlines separately confirmed that smoke was reported from a customer's device during landing. A spokesperson said the aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power, where emergency personnel met the plane in accordance with procedure. One passenger received medical attention at the scene and was released. DFW also confirmed that emergency crews treated and released one patient.
The flight was carrying 133 people when the incident occurred, according to air traffic control audio obtained by CBS News. Jessica Irgens, a passenger aboard the flight, said the fire began roughly 30 minutes before landing when another passenger's laptop began smoking and caught fire. Irgens, who was sitting two rows away, moved toward the back of the aircraft because of the heavy smoke. She told the outlet that the laptop's owner placed the device in the aisle and other passengers attempted to help.
The pilot reported to air traffic controllers that about four to five passengers may have suffered burns from the laptop, according to the audio. The airline did not confirm that figure, saying only that one passenger was treated and released.
Lithium batteries used in laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices can overheat through a process known as thermal runaway, according to the FAA. The agency said thermal runaway can occur without warning and can result from several factors, including a battery being damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed.
The incident is the latest in a series of battery-related scares on commercial flights, though serious fires remain rare. Airlines typically instruct crews to use thermal containment bags to isolate burning devices until the aircraft can land safely.
