A passenger’s lithium-ion battery caught fire on an Air China flight from Hangzhou to Seoul Incheon on October 17.
The battery, presumably a power bank, was stored in the overhead compartment at the time of the incident. An image shows that he also lit the luggage stored in the locker.
The crew extinguished the fire and the plane was diverted to Shanghai Pudong Airport with no injuries reported. However, the plane was taken out of service for checks and a spare plane was assigned. The passengers finally arrived in Seoul five and a quarter hours late than expected.
READ: Battery Wear: Cabin Management October/November 2025
“On October 18, on flight CA139 from Hangzhou to Incheon, a lithium battery found in a passenger’s carry-on luggage stored in the overhead compartment ignited spontaneously,” a statement issued by Air China confirmed.
The incident, while alarming for everyone involved, is not uncommon. Estimates for the frequency of battery overheating on US domestic flights alone are currently around one per week.
