"Cellphone and Laptop Battery Catch Fire in airplane"

 

I get news from commercial airplane incidents from a 3rd party source.  No, I am NOT picking on American Airlines, this could have happened to any of them.   The crew did a bang up job handling it quickly and professionally, hats off to them.  I will see if I can get a more detailed report in several months.    I grabbed this for educational purposes only.

I pulled this from the FAA Website.

(This is a summary. Find full details in the FAA’s PackSafe webpages.)

Lithium batteries, which power everyday devices, can catch fire if damaged or if battery terminals are short-circuited.
Devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium-ion batteries, including – but not limited to – smartphones, tablets, cameras, and laptops, should be kept in accessible carry-on baggage. If these devices are packed in checked baggage, they should be turned completely off, protected from accidental activation, and packed so they are protected from damage. Requirements vary based on the type of device and size of battery, and on the air carrier’s restrictions.

Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal batteries and lithium-ion batteries, portable rechargers, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage. They must be carried with the passenger in carry-on baggage and remain accessible. Smoke and fire incidents involving lithium batteries can be mitigated by the cabin crew and passengers inside the aircraft cabin.

If carry-on baggage is checked at the gate or planeside, spare lithium batteries, portable rechargers or power banks, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices must be removed from the baggage and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin. Even in carry-on baggage, these items should remain accessible and be protected from damage, accidental activation and short circuits. Battery terminals should be protected by manufacturer’s packaging or covered with tape and placed in separate bags to prevent short circuits.

Damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries, or recalled devices containing lithium batteries, must not be carried in carry-on or checked baggage as they are likely to be a safety concern by overheating or catching on fire.

When in doubt, leave it out.

Check the FAA’s Pack Safe website for the rules on carrying different types of battery-powered devices, such as luggage trackers, mobility aids, or personal electronics, and other dangerous goods in baggage.

   On our planes we have special bags above the first aid/AED kits for the "runaways"  The crew places the device in the bag and seal it to cut off the oxygen and handle it in a similar manner.   

American A319 at Atlanta on Sep 29th 2026, laptop and cell phone caught fire

Last Update: October 2, 2026 / 19:51:22 GMT/Zulu time

American Airlines N749US, Airbus A319 (Photo credit: TDelCoro / Flickr / License: CC BY-SA 4.0)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Sep 29, 2026

Classification
Incident

Airline
American Airlines

Flight number
AA-1400

Departure
Miami, United States

Destination
Atlanta, United States

Aircraft Registration
N749US

Aircraft Type
Airbus A319

ICAO Type Designator
A319

An American Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N749US performing flight AA-1400 from Miami,FL to Atlanta,GA (USA), was descending through 15000 feet towards Atlanta when the crew declared emergency reporting a laptop and a cell phone had caught fire in the cabin. Cabin crew contained the devices in a galley cart, the flight crew requested emergency services to meet the aircraft in case the device re-ignited. The aircraft landed on runway 09R about 15 minutes later.

The aircraft returned to service about 10 hours after landing.