A commotion broke out on an American Airlines flight when a passenger’s laptop caught fire inside the cabin, with the pilot reporting to air traffic control that several passengers had suffered burns, a claim that was ultimately not confirmed.
According to CBS News, the incident occurred yesterday on American Airlines Flight 2398, which had taken off from Atlanta bound for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. A total of 133 people were on board the aircraft.
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In an audio recording of the conversations with air traffic control, the pilot can be heard saying: “There’s a fire in the cabin, in the rear of the aircraft. The flight attendants are trying to put it out right now.”
A short time later, he added that “about four or five passengers” may have suffered burns from the laptop, noting that the device had now been isolated roughly in the middle of the cabin.
It landed safely in Dallas
Despite the commotion, the aircraft landed safely in Dallas.
According to an airport statement, one passenger ultimately received medical attention and then left the airport without requiring further hospitalization.
American Airlines reported that the flight landed safely following reports of smoke coming from a passenger’s electronic device during landing.
The company thanked the crew “for their professionalism and quick response,” noting that the device was quickly isolated and the incident brought under control.
The Danger of Lithium Batteries
The incident brings back into focus the dangers associated with lithium batteries used in laptops, cell phones, and other electronic devices.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA, has warned that these batteries can, under certain conditions, overheat and cause a fire on board an aircraft.
One of the main risks is a phenomenon known as “thermal runaway,” during which the battery’s temperature rises uncontrollably.
The FAA notes that this can occur without warning and be caused by various factors, such as damage to the battery, overheating, exposure to water, overcharging, or improper packaging.
For this reason, specific limits have been established regarding the size and transport of lithium batteries on commercial flights.
At least 56 incidents in 2026
According to FAA data, since the beginning of 2026, at least 56 incidents involving lithium batteries have been recorded on flights, including cases of smoke, fire, or overheating.
A similar incident occurred in February, when an Alaska Airlines flight bound for Wichita, Kansas, was forced to return to Seattle, because a passenger’s power bank overheated and caught fire.
The latest incident on the American Airlines flight did not result in any serious injuries, but it demonstrates once again how quickly an electronic device can become a hazard inside an aircraft cabin.
Source: Proto Thema
