Laptop Fire on American Flight 2398 Burns Up to 5 Passengers, Lands Safely at DFW
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Aug 22
Laptop Fire on American Flight 2398 Burns Up to 5 Passengers, Lands Safely at DFW
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Aug 22
Summary
133 people were aboard American Airlines Flight 2398 when a passenger’s laptop caught fire during landing Friday, prompting the pilot to report a cabin fire and possible burns to four or five passengers.
DFW airport said one passenger was treated and released after the plane landed safely, while American said crew quickly contained smoke from the customer’s device.
Air traffic control audio captured the pilot saying flight attendants were putting out the fire and that the laptop had been contained near the middle of the aircraft.
FAA guidance says lithium batteries can overheat into “thermal runaway” without warning; the agency has logged at least 56 in-flight battery incidents involving smoke, fire or overheating this year.
A similar battery fire forced an Alaska Airlines flight to return to Seattle in February, underscoring persistent risks from personal electronic devices on planes.