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lithium battery

Chandigarh, India: A potentially serious aviation incident was narrowly avoided at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on May 5 after a passenger’s power bank caught fire onboard an IndiGo flight shortly after landing, prompting panic and an emergency evacuation that left six people injured. The incident involved flight 6E-108 from Hyderabad to Chandigarh, which had already landed and was taxiing toward the bay when the fire broke out inside the cabin. According to officials, the fire originated from a power bank stored in a seat pocket by a passenger seated in row 39C. The device suddenly ignited, producing smoke and flames that quickly spread inside the aircraft cabin. “After landing during a taxi into the bay at Chandigarh, a Power Bank kept in a pouch in the seat pocket by a passenger seated on 39C caught fire,” officials said. Passengers onboard reported a sudden build-up of smoke, triggering panic. “There was smoke in the cabin and people began panicking,” a passenger said. The cabin crew responded immediately, using onboard fire extinguishers to contain the blaze. “Cabin Crew used two fire extinguisher bottles to extinguish the fire,” officials said. As a precautionary measure, the crew initiated a full emergency evacuation, deploying all six slides. The aircraft was carrying around 198 passengers and six crew members, all of whom were evacuated safely. However, six passengers sustained injuries during the evacuation and were taken to hospital. The injuries were reported to be minor and largely occurred while using the evacuation slides. “All passengers and crew were safely evacuated,” officials said. Passenger Kapoor said several elderly travellers required medical attention. Ajay Verma, CEO of Chandigarh International Airport, said, “Emergency response teams acted immediately after the incident was reported, and all necessary protocols were followed to ensure passenger safety,” said. He added that airport authorities worked in coordination with airline staff and emergency services to manage the situation efficiently. Passengers described chaotic scenes during the evacuation and raised concerns over safety measures onboard. “Had this happened mid-air, it could have been much worse,” a passenger said. Some travellers also questioned the screening of electronic devices, particularly power banks, before boarding. Passengers alleged that airline staff failed to properly regulate the use and monitoring of power banks onboard, raising concerns about enforcement of safety norms. Some travellers questioned whether stricter checks or clearer instructions could have prevented the incident, pointing out that portable electronic devices, particularly lithium-ion batteries, pose known fire risks if not handled correctly. They urged airlines to reinforce guidelines and ensure better awareness among passengers regarding the safe storage and use of such devices during flights In its official statement, IndiGo confirmed the incident and reiterated its commitment to safety. “On 5 May 2026, while IndiGo flight 6E 108 from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was stationary after landing, an incident involving a customer's personal electronic equipment catching fire was reported,” the airline said. “In the interest of safety, an immediate evacuation was carried out and all the relevant authorities were immediately informed. All customers have been safely moved to the terminal and are being attended to by the team to ensure their well-being. The aircraft will undergo necessary checks before resuming operations. At IndiGo, the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority,” the airline added. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess adherence to safety protocols. The incident shows the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, particularly power banks, which are known to pose fire hazards under certain conditions. Importantly, the fire occurred after the aircraft had landed, preventing what could have been a far more dangerous mid-air situation. Swift action by the cabin crew and airport emergency teams ensured the situation was contained without serious injuries. However, the incident has raised concerns regarding the handling and monitoring of portable electronic devices on flights.

Power Bank Fire On IndiGo Flight In Chandigarh Triggers Emergency Evacuation; 6 Injured

Aviation Today News Desk / May 6, 2026

Chandigarh, India: A potentially serious aviation incident was narrowly avoided at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on May 5 after […]

Scandinavian Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Cabin Smoke Alert SEO DES: Smoke was caused after a power bank overheated with four to five crew exposed & assessed by medics after landing, while no passenger injuries were reported SOCIAL: A Scandinavian Airlines domestic flight diverted to Trondheim after smoke from an overheated passenger power bank filled the cabin. The A320neo, operating from Oslo to Tromsø, landed safely, with 4–5 crew checked for smoke exposure and no passenger injuries reported. Emergency teams removed the device on arrival, and the aircraft remained grounded for inspection before returning to service. The incident highlights growing safety concerns over lithium-ion batteries and stricter airline rules on carrying and using power banks onboard. Image: Anna Zvereva ( Flickr) Video: Scandinavian Airlines Trondheim, Norway: A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) domestic flight was forced to make an emergency diversion to Trondheim Airport Værnes on Sunday after smoke from an overheated power bank in the passenger cabin prompted the crew to seek an immediate landing, authorities confirmed. Flight SK4416, operated by an Airbus A320neo registered SE-RUO, was en route from Oslo Airport Gardermoen to Tromso with 186 passengers on board when the crew reported the presence of smoke in the cabin shortly after midday. The aircraft was cruising at altitude when occupants alerted crew to unusual smoke and heat, leading the pilots to divert to the nearest airport as a precaution. Local authorities stated that the smoke originated from a passenger’s lithium-ion power bank, which exhibited signs of overheating and could not be cooled by standard in-flight containment procedures. Emergency response teams were activated on arrival at Værnes, where firefighters removed the device and secured the aircraft. Police operations manager Oystein Sagen said that four to five crew members were exposed to smoke and were evaluated by medical personnel after the aircraft landed safely. All were later discharged. There have been no confirmed injuries among passengers; medical assistance was offered on a precautionary basis. Initial confusion about the source of the smoke led to early, unverified reports suggesting a cockpit fire, but official statements clarified that the event originated in the main cabin. Lithium-ion batteries, like those found in portable power banks, are known to pose a fire risk if they experience thermal runaway, a rapid, uncontrollable rise in temperature that can produce smoke and toxic gases. Regulators and airlines globally treat such incidents with the highest priority due to the potential for rapid escalation at altitude. In recent months, aviation safety authorities have introduced tighter controls on the carriage and use of power banks. For example, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has prohibited the use of power banks during flight and requires that they be carried only in cabin baggage and remain accessible to crew in case of emergency. SAS’s own luggage guidelines specify that spare batteries and power banks must be transported in carry-on baggage, protected against short circuits, and not placed in overhead bins or used in flight. Airport operations at Trondheim were not significantly disrupted following the diversion. After inspection and removal of the defective device, the aircraft was reported to remain on the ground for approximately 26 hours before returning to service.

Scandinavian Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Cabin Smoke Alert

Aviation Today News Desk / February 18, 2026

Trondheim, Norway: A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) domestic flight was forced to make an emergency diversion to Trondheim Airport Værnes on

Hong Kong, China: A power bank carried by a passenger aboard an Asiana Airlines flight from Seoul to Hong Kong overheated and caught fire mid-air on Thursday night, injuring one passenger and emphasizing ongoing aviation safety concerns related to lithium-battery devices. The incident occurred on Flight OZ745, an Airbus A330-214 operating from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) with 284 passengers on board. Around two hours into the flight, a portable battery charger (power bank) carried in the cabin ignited, producing smoke and flames near the economy class seating area. Cabin crew responded within minutes, extinguishing the fire with onboard fire extinguishers. The device’s owner sustained a minor hand burn during the incident, while no other passengers or crew were seriously injured. Despite the onboard fire, the aircraft continued its scheduled flight and landed safely in Hong Kong at approximately 10:52 pm, just minutes behind schedule. Authorities in Hong Kong, including the Airport Authority and local police, were not required to intervene after landing. Eyewitness accounts posted on social media described a brief moment of panic among passengers before the crew contained the situation. “For a moment, I thought I was going to die,” one passenger wrote, highlighting the anxiety such incidents can provoke even when managed effectively. Asiana Airlines confirmed the matter was handled according to established safety procedures and that aviation regulators will be notified as part of standard post-incident processes. In a similar incident on 20 March 2025, Hong Kong Airlines Flight HX115, an Airbus A320 flying from Hangzhou to Hong Kong, was forced to make an emergency diversion to Fuzhou Changle International Airport after a fire broke out in an overhead luggage compartment. The blaze, believed to have been caused by a portable power bank, was extinguished onboard by crew and passengers, and all 168 people on board disembarked safely with no injuries reported. In response to rising incidents involving lithium‑ion batteries, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has updated safety regulations to prohibit charging power banks during flights and mandate that such devices be carried only in hand luggage, not checked baggage. Domestic carriers like IndiGo have further restricted storage, requiring passengers to keep power banks within reach and not in overhead bins. South Korea bans storing power banks and e-cigarettes in overhead bins and requires insulated handling, while Hong Kong and mainland China restrict uncertified batteries. Airline-level measures include Singapore Airlines and Scoot banning in-flight charging from April 2025, Thai Airways, AirAsia, EVA Air, and China Airlines restricting in-flight use. Emirates has banned the use of power banks onboard since 1 October 2025, allowing only one device under 100 Wh in cabin baggage, stored under the seat or in the seat pocket, and strictly forbidding charging or use during flight. Current rules at a glance: allowed with conditions carry power banks under specified watt-hour limits (typically 100 Wh) with clear labeling; prohibited placing in checked luggage, charging in-flight, or storing in overhead bins.

Power Bank Ignites Mid-Air On Asiana Airlines Flight, 1 Passenger Sustains Minor Burns

Aviation Today News Desk / January 10, 2026

Hong Kong, China: A power bank carried by a passenger aboard an Asiana Airlines flight from Seoul to Hong Kong

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