A passenger's laptop caught fire on an American Airlines flight, prompting a response from the cabin crew and leading to one passenger receiving medical treatment after the plane landed. The incident occurred on American Airlines Flight 2398, traveling from Atlanta, Georgia, to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.
Air traffic control audio captured the pilot reporting a "cabin fire in the back of the airplane" and stating that flight attendants were attempting to extinguish it. The pilot also indicated that "about four to five passengers" might have been burned by the laptop, which was reportedly contained mid-aircraft. Following the safe landing, one passenger was treated and released.
American Airlines confirmed the flight landed safely "after reports of smoke from a customer's device during landing" and commended the crew for their response. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cautions that lithium batteries, common in laptops, can overheat due to various factors, including damage, water exposure, overcharging, or improper packing. The agency has recorded 58 verified lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat this year. Over the past two decades, battery packs have been linked to 84 laptop-related incidents.
The FAA mandates that lithium batteries must be stowed only in carry-on baggage. This incident follows other concerns regarding portable electronic devices on aircraft. In May, an EasyJet flight bound for the UK was diverted after a power bank was discovered charging in the aircraft's cargo hold. Aviation authorities have highlighted power banks as a growing source of serious issues on flights globally, emphasizing their potential risks of overheating or igniting.