Laptop catches fire during American Airlines flight landing
The case adds to aviation safety concerns over lithium batteries, which regulators say can overheat and have been linked to smoke, fire or extreme heat events.
Sunday, 23 August 2026 09:44
A passenger's laptop caught fire on American Airlines Flight 2398 during landing at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas on Friday, and one person was treated at the airport and released, BBC News reported.
The flight, an Airbus A321, was coming from Atlanta, Georgia. After landing, the aircraft taxied to the gate, and emergency personnel met it upon arrival, per procedure.
In audio obtained by CBS News, the pilot told air traffic control there was a "cabin fire in the back of the airplane" and that "the flight attendants are trying to put it out now". The pilot added: "I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop. The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft."
American Airlines said the flight landed safely "after reports of smoke from a customer's device during landing". The airline added: "We thank our crew for their professionalism and swift response to quickly contain the device."
The Federal Aviation Administration warns that lithium batteries, including laptop batteries, can overheat "as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly packed". The FAA has recorded 58 verified lithium battery air incidents so far this year involving smoke, fire or extreme heat. It says lithium batteries must be stowed in carry-on baggage only.
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