Air China Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Power Bank Catches Fire Mid-Air
A passenger's lithium battery ignited inside an overhead compartment, forcing the plane to divert to Shanghai.
An Air China flight bound for South Korea made an emergency landing on Saturday, October 18, after a lithium battery in a passenger’s luggage caught fire in the cabin.
The flight, CA139, was traveling from Hangzhou to Incheon. During the journey, a power bank stored in a passenger’s carry-on bag in an overhead bin “spontaneously ignited,” according to a statement from the airline.
The cabin crew responded quickly to the incident and managed the situation. The pilot diverted the aircraft to Shanghai Pudong International Airport as a safety precaution. Fortunately, no passengers or crew members were injured.
Videos showing smoke in the cabin have since been shared widely on social media.
This incident highlights a growing safety concern in the aviation industry. Earlier this month, Emirates updated its policy, banning the use and charging of power banks during flights. While passengers can still carry them, the measure aims to reduce the risk of fires caused by lithium batteries.
