An American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas safely landed Friday after a passenger's laptop caught fire, filling the cabin with smoke and leading to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation.
Flight 2398, carrying 133 people, was approximately 30 minutes from landing at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when the device began smoking and then ignited. The pilot immediately alerted air traffic control, reporting a "cabin fire in the back of the airplane." Flight attendants responded quickly to contain the device.
Audio from the cockpit revealed the pilot informing controllers that "four to five passengers" might have suffered burns from the laptop. One passenger, Jessica Irgens, who was seated near the incident, described the laptop smoking before catching fire and generating significant smoke. She noted that the laptop's owner placed the burning device in the aisle, and some passengers who attempted to assist sustained burns to their hands.
Flight attendants managed to secure the smoldering laptop in a specialized thermal containment bag within about five minutes. Despite the initial report of multiple burn victims, airport officials confirmed that only one passenger ultimately required medical treatment upon arrival. This individual was treated and released at the scene.
The aircraft landed at DFW at approximately 6:55 p.m. local time and was able to taxi to its gate. American Airlines commended the crew for their "professionalism and swift response to quickly contain the device."
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident. Laptops and other portable electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries are common on flights, but these batteries can overheat, a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. This can be caused by damage, overheating, exposure to water, overcharging, or improper packing.
Regulators have implemented strict rules regarding lithium batteries on commercial aircraft. Spare batteries and power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage, not checked luggage, to allow for immediate detection and response in case of a problem. The FAA also limits the size of lithium batteries passengers can carry due to fire risks.
According to FAA data, there have been 56 incidents involving lithium batteries producing smoke, fire, or extreme heat on aircraft so far this year.