In United Airlines Flight Laptop Catches Fire Mid-Air
A fire prompted a United Airlines flight to return to San Diego International Airport, and four passengers including flight attendants were treated for smoke inhalation and then four of them were sent to a hospital. The flight was bound for New Jersey. According to the authorities, on Tuesday morning, Flight 2664 was traveling to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey when an external battery pack belonging to a passenger caught fire.
According to a statement from the airline, Charles Hobart, “United Airlines Flight 2664 returned safely to San Diego International Airport around 7.30 am local time after a customer’s battery pack burned.” Caroline Lipinski, a traveler, reported to a local TV station that a First Class suitcase started smoking shortly after takeoff. She claimed that when he dropped something on the ground—possibly a battery charger pack or something from his laptop—it caught fire. She said, “There was smoke in the cabin, I was afraid.” Third passenger Stephan Jones reported that several passengers “were gasping, screaming” as flight attendants rushed to the front of the aircraft to retrieve fire extinguishers.
Around 7:30 am, the Boeing 737 made a safe landing back at the airport after the crew contained the battery in a special fire bag that stopped it from spreading. According to a statement from UC San Diego Health, four passengers who were in close contact with the fire immediately received medical treatment for smoke inhalation. According to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, two additional patients turned down being transferred to the hospital. Around 11:45 am, KSWB-TV reported that the remaining passengers boarded a different aircraft bound for New Jersey. It will be looked into by the Federal Aviation Administration.
While frequently utilized in electrical products, lithium-ion batteries have a history of overheating and catching fire. However, they are not allowed in checked bags, just carry-on luggage. After a laptop on board caught fire in December, a Lufthansa flight from Los Angeles to Germany was diverted to Chicago. Additionally in December, a JetBlue flight from Barbados to New York was evacuated following a fire that may have been caused by a battery, according to police. Using emergency slides, more than 160 passengers were evacuated. Five people were slightly hurt. More than 30 people were hurt in a fire in New York in November caused by a lithium-ion e-bike battery.
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