Aviation incidents and accidents involving batteries:


From January 23, 2006, until August 5, 2023, there were 472 verified reported aviation-related incidents involving lithium batteries that were carried as cargo or in passenger baggage.


By mid 2023 41 incidents have occurred. 16 of these were from spare batteries or battery packs and 9 were from e-cigarettes or vaping devices. These were also the leading device types for lithium battery incidents in 2022. Incidents involving battery packs or spare batteries seemed to surge in 2017, a similar jump was seen with e-cigarettes in 2020.


Date 7/3/2023 Category Battery Pack/Battery Reporter American Airlines


Carrier Type: Passenger


During a flight from San Francisco, CA (SFO) to Charlotte, NC (CLT) a passenger’s portable lithium-ion battery charger began to overheat and emit smoke while in use at the passenger’s seat. A flight attendant took possession of the device and placed it in a thermal containment bag. The flight continued to its destination without further incident.


6/14/2023 Battery Pack/Battery Southwest Airlines Passenger


During a flight from Denver, CO (DEN) to Memphis, TN (MEM) a passenger’s lithium battery charger experienced a flash of heat and subsequently caught fire. A flight attendant took possession of the device and placed it in a thermal containment bag. Three passengers were reported to be injured but refused medical treatment. The aircraft had burn marks on the floor and wall of the aircraft. The flight returned to Denver without further incident.


6/12/2023 Battery Pack/Battery Delta Airlines Passenger


During a flight from Chicago, IL (ORD) to Seattle, WA (SEA), a passenger’s portable lithium-ion battery charger began to overheat and emit smoke while in use at the passenger’s seat. A flight attendant took possession of the device and placed it in a thermal containment bag. The flight continued to its destination without further incident.


5/25/2023 Battery Pack/Battery Spirit Airlines Passenger


The air carrier reported a thermal event that occurred upon arrival. The flight from Ft. Lauderdale, FL (FLL) to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ) arrived at the gate and while passengers were deplaning the aircraft, a carry- on bag containing six AA and AAA batteries with exposed terminals caught fire. The aircrew extinguished the fire, and the remaining passengers exited the aircraft.


2/7/2023 Battery Pack/Battery United Airlines Passenger


United Airlines reported during a flight to San Diego International airport (SAN) a thermal event occurred. The event occurred when a power bank stowed in a passengers hand carried bag began to smoke 14 minutes into the flight. The aircraft returned to the departure airport after the crew extinguished the fire and placed the power bank in a Thermal Containment Bag. Four aircrew personnel were treated for smoke inhalation, no injuries to passengers reported.


8/4/2023 e-Cigarette/Vape Device United Airlines Passenger


During the boarding process at Newark, NJ (EWR) a passenger noticed the vape pen in their purse was heating up and emitting smoke. A flight attendant took possession of the device and placed it into a cup of water. The device was removed from the aircraft and handed off to a gate agent. The flight departed on schedule.


12/26/2022 Laptop Lufthansa Airlines Passenger


Lufthansa Airlines reports a thermal event involving a laptop computer possessed by a passenger in-route from Los Angeles International airport (LAX) to Frankfort International airport (FRA). The laptop was stowed in a backpack within the overhead bin in “hibernation mode”. The operating crew extinguished the resulting fire and secured the bag in a galley cart. The flight was diverted to Chicago O’Hare International airport (ORD), where the deplaned the passengers before continuing to Frankfort, GE without further incident.


2/11/2022 Battery Pack/Battery Air Evac Lifeteam Passenger


This event involved spare Lithium ion batteries carried by a crew member for personal use. The batteries were allegedly in a crewmembers pocket when they presumably came into contact with metal. The batteries reportedly began to smoke and burn. The crew member was taken to the hospital and treated for injuries.


Inflight Fire and Smoke 8


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21