A routine flight to Dallas turned terrifying when a passenger’s laptop suddenly burst into flames, sending smoke through the cabin and reportedly leaving several passengers burned. Flight attendants scrambled to contain the device as the plane approached its destination, while the pilot alerted air traffic control to the unfolding emergency. But how did the fire start, what happened to the passengers caught in the chaos, and how did the crew manage to bring the situation under control?
Laptop fire breaks out during American Airlines flight
The frightening incident unfolded Friday evening aboard American Airlines Flight 2398, which was traveling from Atlanta, Georgia, to Dallas, Texas. The plane was carrying more than 130 passengers when a laptop reportedly caught fire toward the back of the cabin.
Air traffic control audio obtained by CBS News captured the pilot reporting a “cabin fire in the back of the airplane” as the aircraft approached Dallas.
The pilot also indicated that the burning device may have injured several passengers.
“I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop,” the pilot reportedly said. “The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft.
According to the audio, flight attendants quickly moved to contain the fire and attempted to put out the flames while the plane continued toward its destination.
Emergency crews meet plane after landing
The aircraft landed safely at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport at around 6:55 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Emergency personnel were waiting for the plane after the crew reported the laptop battery fire.
BBC reported that one passenger required medical attention after the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said flight attendants contained the fire using a specialized piece of safety equipment.
“Flight attendants contained the fire with a thermal containment bag,” the agency said.
The FAA added that it is investigating the incident.
American Airlines praises crew response
American Airlines confirmed that smoke from a passenger’s device was reported during the flight’s landing and said the aircraft arrived safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
“American Airlines flight 2398 landed safely at DFW after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing,” the airline told CBS in a statement.
The carrier also praised the flight crew for their quick response as they worked to contain the situation.
“We thank our crew for their professionalism and swift response to quickly contain the device.”
What caused the laptop fire?
While American Airlines has confirmed that smoke from a passenger’s device was reported and that the crew successfully contained it, the airline has not provided further details about what caused the laptop to ignite.
The reported number of injured passengers also remains less clear. The pilot said four to five people may have been burned, while reports indicate that one passenger received medical attention after the plane landed.
The incident remains under investigation as authorities work to determine exactly what happened inside the aircraft and what caused the laptop battery to catch fire.
Why can laptops catch fire on planes?
While officials are still investigating what went wrong on Flight 2398, safety experts say the answer usually comes down to one common item: the lithium-ion battery. These rechargeable batteries power almost every laptop, phone, and tablet today. Most of the time, they work completely safely. But when something goes wrong, the results can be sudden and dangerous.
The main danger is a chemical chain reaction known as thermal runaway. If a battery gets damaged, overheats, or simply wears out, an internal short circuit can cause it to heat up uncontrollably within seconds. Once that reaction starts, the battery generates its own extreme heat and flammable gas, leading to heavy smoke and sudden flames that are notoriously difficult to put out with standard water or fire extinguishers.
Everyday travel habits can also increase the risk:
- Physical Crushing: Dropping a laptop or jamming it tightly into an overhead bin can puncture the delicate components inside the battery.
- Overheating: Using a device on a soft surface — like a blanket, jacket, or seat cushion—blocks its cooling vents, trapping dangerous amounts of heat inside.
- Age and Wear: Older, heavily used batteries can swell or short-circuit unexpectedly, even when they are just sitting idle.
- Pressure Changes: The shifting air pressure inside an airplane cabin as it climbs and lands can put extra physical stress on an already damaged battery.
This inherent risk is exactly why airlines require all laptops and large portable electronics to be kept in carry-on bags rather than checked luggage. If a device catches fire inside the cabin, flight attendants can act immediately with specialized heat-proof containment bags to smother the flames before a small electronics failure turns into a major disaster.