Laptop Catches Fire on US Flight, Passenger Treated at Airport – BBC News
Overview
One person received medical treatment after a passenger’s laptop caught fire aboard American Airlines Flight 2398, an Airbus A321, en route from Atlanta, Georgia, to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. The pilot reported a "cabin fire in the back of the airplane" to air traffic control, citing several passengers burned by the incident.
Incident Details
- Date: 22 August 2026
- Location: Onboard American Airlines Flight 2398, en route to Dallas Fort Worth Airport, Texas
- Outcome: One passenger treated on site and released; aircraft landed safely
Quotes
"I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop. The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft." – Pilot’s report to air traffic control (obtained by CBS News)
Context
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cautions that lithium batteries, including those in laptops, are prone to overheating due to various factors such as damage, overcharging, or exposure to water. This year, the FAA has recorded 58 verified lithium battery air incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat, with 84 cases related to laptops in the last 20 years.
Safety Guidelines
Lithium batteries must be stored in carry-on baggage only, as per FAA regulations. In May, a UK-bound EasyJet flight from Egypt was diverted to Rome after a power bank charging in a passenger’s luggage was discovered in the aircraft hold. The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has warned of increasing issues with portable chargers, emphasizing their potential for overheating or fire.
