An American Airlines flight made a safe landing in Dallas after a laptop battery caught fire on board. Flight attendants contained the situation and emergency personnel were on hand, according to officials.
Incident Aboard Flight 2398
American Airlines Flight 2398 was nearing Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) after leaving Atlanta when the crew reported a laptop battery fire, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Flight attendants used a thermal containment bag to manage the fire.
The Airbus A321 safely landed at DFW around 6:55 p.m. local time. The FAA is currently investigating the incident.
American Airlines Response
American Airlines verified to Fox News Digital that smoke was visible from a passenger’s device during landing. The airline expressed gratitude for the crew’s rapid response in handling the situation.
Upon landing, the plane taxied to the gate under its own power. Emergency personnel met the aircraft as per procedure.
Passenger Impact
One passenger received medical attention at the airport and was released. DFW confirmed that emergency teams treated one individual following the incident.
Passenger Eyewitness Account
The flight had 133 people on board when the incident happened, according to CBS News. Passenger Jessica Irgens reported that the fire started about 30 minutes before landing when another passenger’s laptop began emitting smoke and flames.
Irgens, who was two rows away, moved to the back due to the smoke. The laptop’s owner placed the device in the aisle, and fellow passengers tried to help. The pilot noted that up to five passengers might have suffered burns, as reported in air traffic control audio obtained by CBS News.
Risks of Lithium-Ion Batteries
The FAA explains that lithium-ion batteries, used in many devices, can pose a fire risk if they undergo thermal runaway. This condition can develop without warning from factors such as damage, overheating, water exposure, overcharging, or improper packing.
Brittany Miller, a journalist with Fox News Digital, provided additional reporting for this story.