Passenger receives treatment after device fire on American Airlines flight

  • American Airlines Flight 2398 landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing.
  • One passenger received medical treatment at the airport and was released.
  • The flight’s pilot reported a cabin fire and said flight attendants were trying to contain it, according to audio obtained by CBS News.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration recorded 58 verified lithium-battery air incidents involving smoke, fire or extreme heat so far this year.

FAA requires lithium batteries in carry-on baggage

American Airlines Flight 2398 came from Atlanta, Georgia. American Airlines told the BBC that the flight landed safely after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing, and that the crew quickly contained the device.

After landing, the aircraft taxied to the gate, where emergency personnel met it according to procedure. The BBC reported that a laptop caught fire on the flight.

One passenger received medical attention at the airport and was released, according to the BBC.

Audio obtained by CBS News captured the pilot reporting a “cabin fire in the back of the airplane” to air traffic control. The pilot said “the flight attendants are trying to put it out now.”

The pilot also said, “I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop. The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft.”

American Airlines said the flight landed safely and thanked its crew for their professionalism and swift response.

The Federal Aviation Administration warns that lithium batteries, including laptop batteries, can overheat if they are damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed. The FAA says lithium batteries must be stowed in carry-on baggage only.

The FAA recorded 58 verified lithium-battery air incidents so far this year involving smoke, fire or extreme heat, according to the BBC. Over the last 20 years, 84 cases involved laptops, while battery packs accounted for the highest number of incidents.

A separate incident in May involved an EasyJet flight from Egypt to the United Kingdom. The flight diverted to Rome after a power bank was found charging in luggage in the aircraft’s hold, and it was rescheduled for the next day.

The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority has said power banks are causing a growing number of serious issues on flights worldwide. The regulator urged greater awareness, saying portable chargers carry “serious risks” of overheating or catching fire.