Passenger burned after laptop computer catches fire aboard American Airlines flight to Dallas
The incident comes as the FAA continues to warn about the dangers lithium-ion rechargeable batteries pose to aircraft, including those found in laptops, cell phones, and other common devices.
A passenger on American Airlines flight 2398 from Atlanta to Dallas suffered burn injuries when a laptop computer caught fire during the flight on Friday. The incident occurred about 30 minutes before the plane was set to land. The pilot informed air traffic control about the fire, and flight attendants attempted to extinguish it.
The burning laptop was eventually placed in a thermal bag by the crew. According to CBS News, four to five passengers were injured in the incident. The Airbus A321 aircraft landed safely in Dallas and taxied to a gate, where firefighters boarded the plane. The FAA has previously warned about the risks posed by lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, including laptops and cell phones, which can cause a phenomenon known as thermal runaway due to damage, overheating, or defects.
To mitigate this risk, the FAA mandates that large lithium-ion batteries be carried in carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
