Laptop catches fire on American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas
An American Airlines domestic flight carrying 133 passengers landed safely in Texas on Friday after a passenger's laptop caught fire in the cabin, leaving one person in need of medical treatment.
In-flight fire on Flight 2398
American Airlines Flight 2398 departed Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday, 21 August 2026, heading for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. The domestic flight carried 133 passengers when a passenger's laptop ignited during the journey. Smoke filled sections of the aircraft as the computer caught fire in the middle area of the cabin. The pilot contacted air traffic control to report an active fire and stated that flight attendants were working to extinguish the flames. Audio recordings obtained by CBS News captured the cockpit communicating the emergency to controllers while the crew managed the fire in the cabin.
Cabin response and medical treatment
During communications with air traffic controllers, the pilot estimated that four or five passengers suffered burn injuries from the burning device. Flight attendants moved quickly to isolate the smoking laptop and suppress the flames before touchdown. The aircraft completed its approach and landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Following the landing, the plane taxied to the gate, where airport emergency response personnel met the aircraft in line with safety protocols. Dallas airport authorities confirmed that one passenger received medical treatment on site and was subsequently released.
Flight 2398 landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport following reports of smoke from a passenger's device during landing. We thank our crew for their professionalism and quick response to immediately isolate the device.
Emergency response and flight timeline
American Airlines stated that flight attendants acted immediately upon noticing smoke to isolate the burning laptop and secure the area. The intervention prevented the fire from spreading across passenger seating as the aircraft descended toward Dallas. After touching down safely, the aircraft taxied to its assigned gate where Dallas Fort Worth emergency crews carried out standard post-incident inspections. Airport and airline personnel inspected the cabin condition while evaluating passengers who had been seated near the malfunctioning device. Safety guidelines from civil aviation authorities mandate that all rechargeable lithium-powered electronics must be kept in passenger cabins rather than cargo compartments to allow immediate crew intervention during unexpected battery fires.
- American Airlines Flight 2398 departs Atlanta with 133 passengers on board.
- A passenger's laptop catches fire in the middle section of the cabin.
- Flight attendants extinguish the fire and isolate the smoking laptop.
- Flight 2398 lands safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
- Emergency services meet the aircraft and treat one injured passenger.
Aviation records on lithium battery hazards
The Federal Aviation Administration identifies lithium battery overheating, known as thermal runaway, as an ongoing operational hazard on commercial aircraft. The regulator notes that factors causing these battery failures include mechanical damage, excess heat, water exposure, overcharging, or improper packaging. FAA records show 58 verified in-flight lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat in 2026. Across the last 20 years of FAA records, external power banks caused the highest total number of incidents, with 84 cases specifically involving laptops. Similar risks prompted an EasyJet flight from Egypt to the United Kingdom to divert to Rome in May 2026 after a power bank was discovered charging inside checked baggage in the cargo hold, delaying the flight until the following day. The UK Civil Aviation Authority stated that portable power banks cause an increasing number of serious incidents globally and urged greater passenger awareness regarding overheating risks.
