Thought this is it: Laptop catches fire on US flight; 4-5 passengers burned

A laptop battery caught fire on American Airlines Flight 2398 as it approached Dallas, burning passengers' hands. The crew contained the device, but the incident adds to ongoing concern over lithium-ion battery risks onboard.The extent of injuries to the passengers was not immediately clear. (Credits: Instagram/Jessica Irgens)An American Airlines passenger was treated for burns after a laptop battery caught fire aboard a flight from Atlanta to Dallas on Friday, with the pilot reporting that four to five passengers may have been injured.American Airlines Flight 2398, an Airbus A321 carrying around 133 people, landed safely at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport at about 6:55 pm local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as reported by The Independent.Flight attendants contained the fire using a thermal containment bag, while emergency crews were waiting for the aircraft when it landed. A spokesperson for Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport said one patient was treated and released.“American Airlines Flight 2398 landed safely at DFW after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing,” the airline told The Independent, praising the crew for quickly containing the device. A passenger on the flight told ABC News that the smoke filled the cabin as flight attendants worked to extinguish the flames and assist passengers who had suffered burns.Another passenger mentioned that she wasn't having 'very positive thoughts' during the fire. "I thought this is it. It was definitely very scary," she mentioned.PILOT REPORTS PASSENGERS SUFFERS BURNS Air traffic control audio obtained by CBS Texas captured the pilot reporting that a laptop had caught fire inside the aircraft.The pilot said around four to five passengers had been burned by the laptop and indicated that the device had been contained in the middle section of the aircraft. He also said the passengers had suffered burns to their hands.The extent of injuries to the other passengers was not immediately clear.FAA RECORDS LITHIUM BATTERY INCIDENTSLithium-ion batteries are widely used in electronic devices including laptops, mobile phones, charging cases and portable power banks.According to FAA data, 58 incidents involving lithium batteries that resulted in smoke, fire or other dangerous events have been recorded on passenger aircraft so far in 2026.The FAA warns that lithium-ion batteries can overheat and undergo a process known as thermal runaway. According to the agency, this can occur without warning if a battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed. Manufacturing defects can also cause thermal runaway.The incident aboard Flight 2398 comes amid continuing aviation safety concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries, which can generate intense heat and smoke when they enter thermal runaway.Airlines and flight crews use specialised procedures and containment equipment to manage such incidents when they occur onboard.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Aug 23, 2026 12:05 IST