Chilling air traffic control audio has revealed the terrifying moment an American Airlines pilot reported a fire aboard a packed passenger jet after a laptop burst into flames, filling the cabin with smoke and burning several people.
American Airlines Flight 2398 was carrying 133 people from Atlanta to Dallas on Friday when a passenger’s laptop suddenly began smoking before catching fire about 30 minutes before the aircraft was due to land.
‘Cabin fire in the back of the airplane,’ the pilot urgently told air traffic controllers as the frightening emergency unfolded aboard the Airbus A321.
‘The flight attendants are trying to put it out now.’
Moments later, the pilot delivered an even more alarming update.
‘I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop,’ he said. ‘The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft.’
The dramatic incident sent smoke pouring through the cabin as passengers scrambled away from the burning computer and flight attendants raced to contain it.
Passenger Jessica Irgens, who was sitting just two rows away, told CBS News that the laptop began smoking before catching fire, quickly creating enough smoke that she ran toward the rear of the aircraft.
American Airlines Flight 2398 was carrying 133 people from Atlanta to Dallas when a passenger’s laptop caught fire around 30 minutes before landing (stock image)
The owner of the computer placed the burning device in the aisle, Irgens said, while one or two fellow passengers who attempted to help suffered burns to their hands.
Flight attendants then managed to secure the smoldering laptop inside a special thermal containment bag within around five minutes.
Despite the pilot’s initial report that as many as five people may have suffered burns, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport said one passenger ultimately received medical treatment after the aircraft landed.
That person was treated and released at the scene. The aircraft landed safely at DFW at approximately 6:55pm.
Emergency personnel were waiting for Flight 2398 when it arrived, and the aircraft was able to taxi to its gate.
American Airlines praised the crew’s response to the potentially dangerous situation.
‘American Airlines flight 2398 landed safely at DFW after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing,’ the airline said.
‘We thank our crew for their professionalism and swift response to quickly contain the device.’
The pilot told air traffic control that ‘four to five passengers’ may have been burned as flight attendants battled the smoking device in the cabin (stock image)
The FAA has now launched an investigation into the incident.
Laptops, cellphones, tablets and portable battery packs have become ubiquitous aboard commercial flights, but the powerful batteries inside them can, in rare circumstances, dangerously overheat.
The phenomenon is known as ‘thermal runaway.’
It can occur when a battery cell generates heat faster than it can dissipate it, potentially producing smoke, intense heat and fire.
‘Thermal runaway can occur without warning as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly packed,’ the FAA warns.
The danger has prompted regulators to impose strict rules surrounding lithium batteries aboard commercial aircraft.
Spare lithium batteries and power banks, for example, are required to remain in carry-on baggage rather than checked luggage so that a problem can be spotted and dealt with inside the cabin.
The FAA also restricts the size of lithium batteries passengers are permitted to carry because of the potential fire risk.
FAA figures show there has been 56 incidents involving lithium batteries producing smoke, fire or extreme heat aboard aircraft this year.
