In-flight laptop fire in the United States mobilizes crews

A passenger received medical attention after a laptop caught fire on an American Airlines flight. The incident occurred on an aircraft coming from Atlanta, Georgia, which landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.

Pilot's report and crew action

The pilot reported a cabin fire in the rear of the plane to air traffic control, informing them that flight attendants were trying to extinguish the fire. The communication indicated that about four to five passengers may have suffered burns from the device, which was contained around the middle of the aircraft.

Safe landing and assistance at the airport

The airline reported that the flight landed safely following reports of smoke coming from a customer's device during the described landing. The company thanked the professionals for their quick response to contain the device. After landing, the plane taxied to the gate and emergency crews met the aircraft upon arrival, as per procedure.

Risks of lithium batteries according to authorities

The United States Federal Aviation Administration warns that lithium batteries, including those in laptop computers, are capable of overheating due to various factors. Among the reasons are damage, overheating, exposure to water, overcharging, or improper packaging.

Aviation incident statistics

The regulatory body recorded dozens of lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat. Over a twenty-year period, the highest number of incidents was related to portable batteries, followed by cases involving computers.

Other incidents with portable devices

In a separate event, a flight bound for the United Kingdom from Egypt was diverted to Rome after a portable charger was found charging in a passenger's luggage in the aircraft's cargo hold. The UK Civil Aviation Authority highlighted that portable chargers cause a growing number of serious problems on flights worldwide, warning of risks of overheating or fire.

With information from the BBC.