An American Airlines flight landed safely in Dallas on Friday after a laptop battery caught fire on board, prompting flight attendants to contain the blaze and emergency personnel to meet the aircraft upon arrival. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it is investigating the incident.
American Airlines Flight 2398 was approaching Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) after departing Atlanta when the crew reported a laptop battery fire, according to the FAA. Flight attendants contained the fire using a thermal containment bag, the agency said. The Airbus A321 landed safely at DFW at approximately 6:55 p.m. local time.
American Airlines confirmed that smoke was reported from a customer's device during landing. A spokesperson for the airline said the crew responded swiftly to contain the device, and the aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power, where emergency personnel met the plane in accordance with standard procedure. One passenger received medical attention at the scene and was released, the spokesperson said. DFW officials separately confirmed that emergency crews treated and released one patient.
The flight was carrying 133 people when the incident occurred, according to air traffic control audio obtained by CBS News. Jessica Irgens, a passenger aboard the flight, told CBS News that the fire began roughly 30 minutes before landing when another passenger's laptop began smoking and caught fire. Irgens, who was sitting two rows away, said she moved toward the back of the aircraft because of the heavy smoke. She said the laptop's owner placed the device in the aisle and other passengers attempted to help.
The pilot reported to air traffic controllers that approximately four to five passengers may have suffered burns from the laptop, according to audio obtained by CBS News. The airline's spokesperson said only one passenger received medical attention and was released, without elaborating on the pilot's report.
Lithium batteries used in laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices can overheat through a process known as thermal runaway, according to the FAA. The agency said thermal runaway can occur without warning and can result from several factors, including a battery being damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed.
The incident is the latest in a series of aviation safety events involving electronic devices and onboard fires. Airlines have increasingly emphasized protocols for containing such incidents, including the use of thermal containment bags designed to isolate burning batteries. The FAA's investigation will focus on the cause of the battery failure and the crew's response.