Bangor, United States: Swiss International Air Lines has clarified that smoke detected onboard flight LX16 from Zurich to New York on July 27 was caused by a damaged earphone charging case trapped inside a Business Class seat.
The incident occurred while the Airbus-operated flight was en route from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York. During the flight, smoke was reported onboard, prompting the crew to follow emergency procedures and divert the aircraft to the nearest suitable airport, Bangor International Airport (BGR) in Maine.
Initial reports indicated that smoke had been detected in the forward section of the aircraft, with preliminary information suggesting a possible cockpit-related issue. However, after a technical investigation, SWISS determined that the source was an earphone charging case containing a lithium-ion battery.
According to the airline, the charging case had slipped into a gap near a seat in the front Business Class cabin, where it became trapped and was damaged. The damage caused the device to emit smoke, creating a potential fire risk inside the cabin.
SWISS highlighted that many personal electronic devices carried by passengers use lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat when damaged, malfunction, or become trapped, potentially leading to smoke or fire. The airline advised passengers to immediately inform cabin crew if an electronic device becomes unusually hot, damaged, or falls into an inaccessible area such as underneath a seat.
The airline also noted that its aircraft are equipped with lithium battery safety bags designed to safely contain affected devices if required.
During the LX16 incident, the flight crew responded according to established emergency procedures and simulator training, ensuring the aircraft was diverted safely to Bangor, where the situation could be assessed and handled.
SWISS has not reported any injuries related to the incident. The clarification comes after the airline completed its technical assessment of the event and identified the damaged charging case as the source of the smoke.
