The China Airlines Pilot turned a plane around just minutes into a flight after smoke filled the cabin, sending passengers into a panic, following an explosion from a power bank
A power bank explosion on board a plane sparked a passenger panic, forcing the pilot to turn back after just 15 minutes.
The China Airlines Pilot was forced to turn the plane around just minutes into the flight after the power bank exploded. The passenger’s camera battery and power bank were found smouldering in the overhead locker. Images from the flight show black smoke coming from the items and filling the cabin with smoke. Screaming passengers jumped to their feet to protest as the flight attendant appeared with wat appeared to be a small fire extinguisher in her hands.
The blaze took place on China Southern Airlines flight CZ6850 from Hangzhou to Shenzhen in China on May31. The pilot decided to return to Hangzhou International Airport after the passenger’s power bank started to burn shortly after takeoff.
An airline spokesperson said: “The crew handled it properly and quickly eliminated the safety risk. To ensure safety, the flight immediately returned to the airport and landed safely 15 minutes after take-off.”
They also confirmed that no one was injured and promised to help any passengers affected by the delay. China Southern Airlines reminded customers to follow the civil aviation safety regulations concerning batteries and power banks on their flights.
Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department recently banned the overhead storage of power banks during flights, as reported by What’s The Jam. However, passengers can still keep them in their carry-on luggage, under their seats, or in their pockets in front of them.
Passengers are not allowed to pack lithium batteries in their checked baggage. Since April, Singapore Airlines banned the use of power banks during flights.
Thai Airways, China Airlines, Eva Air, and Air Asia have implemented similar restrictions. On 20 March, an inbound Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou was forced to divert to Fuzhou after a power bank exploded in an overhead compartment.
In January, an Air Busan plane to Hong Kong was caught ablaze before takeoff and 176 passengers were evacuated. The flames were believed to have been started by a passenger’s power bank in an overhead compartment.
Plane passengers screamed in panic during a similar incident in 2023 wen a phone charger caught fire on a busy flight taking off in Taiwan. Two people were injured when the portable device erupted in flames as the aircraft was preparing to take off.
Footage showed flight attendants attempting to keep distressed travellers calm. The flight from Taoyuan International Airport had been due to fly to Singapore when the incident happened.
The power bank spontaneously ignited and filled the cabin with smoke, forcing all 189 passengers and crew to evacuate. Two passengers were reported to have suffered minor injuries.