An Air China flight bound for Seoul had to make an emergency landing on Saturday after a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage ignited while the plane was flying over Shanghai, filling the cabin with smoke.
Flight CA139 took off from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at 9:47 a.m. local time, carrying 160 passengers and crew members to South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, as reported by the airline and Chinese state media.
“A lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on baggage, stored in the overhead compartment, spontaneously ignited,” the airline stated in a post on Weibo.
Fortunately, crew members acted quickly, and no injuries were reported, according to the statement.
The plane was diverted to Shanghai Pudong International Airport “to ensure flight safety,” Air China added.
Videos shared on Chinese social media showed bright flames and thick smoke emerging from the overhead compartment, with startled passengers calling out for assistance.
Two flight attendants rushed down the aisle with fire extinguishers while others instructed passengers to stay seated.
According to local media, there was a loud explosion just before the flames burst from the storage space.
Images circulated online revealed burnt lining on several rows of seats.
The aircraft landed safely in Shanghai around 11 a.m., as tracked by Flightradar24, and passengers were transferred to a replacement jet for the continuation of their journey to Seoul.
Air China confirmed that there were no injuries or structural damage to the aircraft.
Passengers reported hearing crackling noises from a trash can, which caused confusion for several minutes. One traveler urged others to “Hurry!” in Korean as the smoke thickened.
Reports suggest the fire may have originated from a power bank battery, but authorities have yet to verify the brand or manufacturer.
This incident is part of a troubling trend this year, with several lithium battery-related incidents occurring on Asian airlines.
A flight by China Southern Airlines in May had to return to the airport shortly after takeoff due to smoke from a passenger’s camera battery and power bank.
In January, South Korean officials indicated that battery packs were likely the source of a fire aboard an Air Busan flight that resulted in minor injuries to seven passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued warnings that lithium-ion batteries can experience “thermal runaway,” potentially leading to explosions if damaged or overheated.
Many common devices, including smartphones and laptops, use these batteries.
Due to these risks, airlines worldwide are limiting lithium batteries in checked luggage. The TSA requires passengers to carry batteries with less than 100 watt-hours for their carry-ons.
China also tightened regulations over the summer, banning mobile batteries without certified safety marks on domestic flights and prohibiting recalled models.
Furthermore, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Authority mandates that power banks must be stored under seats instead of overhead compartments.
