Denver International Airport witnessed a sudden evacuation due to a smartphone battery fire on board Southwest Airlines Flight 3316, causing concern among passengers and highlighting potential hazards of lithium-ion batteries.
At a Glance
- Over 100 passengers were evacuated from a flight due to a cell phone battery fire.
- The incident took place while the plane was still at the gate.
- The fire spread from the phone to an airplane seat but was quickly extinguished.
- The phone owner suffered burns and another person received a minor injury.
Unfolding of the Incident
A smartphone battery burst into flames as Flight 3316 was preparing for departure from Denver International Airport, creating panic among the passengers. The fire erupted from a lithium battery of a Samsung phone and caught an airplane seat, prompting rapid evacuation measures.
Overall, 108 passengers onboard were instructed to use the emergency slides from the back, while others deplaned normally from the front. Fortunately, the crew members acted swiftly, preventing further spread of the fire.
Injury and Fire Containment
Despite the swift response, the phone owner sustained burns while handling the device, and a passenger suffered a minor injury during the evacuation process. The incident’s cause lies in the unpredictable nature of lithium-ion batteries which can ignite due to overheating or damage. Aviation expert Josh Verde points out, “If [the batteries] overheat or if they’re damaged, let’s say by a puncture, or some other damage, they can ignite and the flame that they create is very intense.”
Denver fire officials swiftly intervened, allowing the flight to continue its journey to Houston, albeit delayed by three hours. The National Business Aviation Association highlights the frequency of such occurrences, given the conditional risks associated with these batteries.
Cellphone battery sparks fire, evacuations on Southwest flight at Denver International Airport https://t.co/qiXnLrL345
— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) November 15, 2024
Broader Implications and Passenger Safety
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records more than one lithium-ion battery incident weekly on U.S. airplanes. These statistics compel airlines to enforce strict regulations, like prohibiting power banks in the cargo hold, to mitigate risks. Southwest Airlines is working to accommodate the affected passengers on a different flight to reach their intended destination.
An ongoing investigation seeks to uncover detailed circumstances of the incident. Meanwhile, passengers and airlines are reminded of the inherent dangers associated with portable electronic devices while emphasizing the importance of immediate response and safety protocols.
Sources
- ‘Fire! Fire!’: Passengers evacuate flight due to cell phone battery fire
- Houston-bound Southwest flight out of Denver delayed after phone catches fire; 2 people injured
- Two injured after cell phone battery sparks fire on Southwest flight in Denver
- Southwest passengers evacuate smoke-filled plane after smartphone, seat burst into flame
