Passengers on an Air China Airbus A321 were left in panic when smoke began pouring from the overhead bin mid-flight. The source, a small power bank that suddenly caught fire at an altitude of 10 kilometers.
The flight, traveling from Hangzhou to Seoul, quickly filled with thick smoke. Flight attendants rushed to the scene and managed to extinguish the flames before they spread. The pilots prepared for an emergency landing at Shanghai Pudong Airport, but the situation was brought under control in time. No one was injured.
A passenger video circulating online shows smoke billowing from the overhead compartment as crew members grab fire extinguishers. Witnesses said a loud pop was heard moments before the smoke appeared. Air China later confirmed that a passenger’s power bank had caught fire in the cabin.
Understanding what triggers thermal runaway and how it turns a battery into a fire hazard is essential for air travel safety.
What Is Thermal Runaway
Thermal runaway is a chain reaction that starts inside a lithium battery when it gets too hot. As the temperature rises, the battery’s internal reactions speed up, producing even more heat. Once this starts, it’s almost impossible to stop.
Inside every lithium-ion battery are two electrodes and an electrolyte fluid. When heat builds up due to overcharging, a short circuit, or damage, the electrolyte can break down. This releases gases and more heat, which drives the reaction faster.
If the temperature passes around 150°C, the materials inside start to burn. The heat can exceed 600°C, and in severe cases, even reach 900°C. The battery can then burst or catch fire, releasing toxic gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen fluoride.
How Can It Cause a Lithium Battery to Burst During Flight?
Aircraft cabins are pressurized but still have limited ventilation. When a device overheats or gets crushed, like a phone trapped in a seat, it can trigger thermal runaway. Once one cell fails, the heat spreads quickly to nearby cells, leading to a burst or fire.
The confined cabin makes this much worse. A small fire can fill the space with dense, toxic smoke in seconds. The flammable gases released can also ignite other materials in the cabin.
Flight attendants are trained for such incidents and carry lithium fire containment bags, like the AvSax, to isolate overheating devices. These bags can contain the heat and smoke, preventing it from spreading.
Why Is It So Dangerous?
Fires on airplanes are among the most dangerous emergencies. Unlike on the ground, there’s nowhere to escape, and smoke can spread fast. In many battery fires, the flames reignite multiple times because of trapped heat inside the cells.
Thermal runaway doesn’t just produce flames, it also releases gases that are harmful to breathe. These include carbon monoxide and hydrofluoric acid, both toxic even in small amounts.
If the fire reaches nearby items or luggage, it can quickly escalate. That’s why airlines strictly control how passengers carry power banks and spare lithium batteries.
What to Do If It Happens to You
If your device starts smoking or heating up on a plane, alert the cabin crew immediately. Do not try to pick it up or pour water on it. The crew has special equipment to handle such fires safely.
On the ground, if a lithium battery explodes or catches fire, move away from it quickly. Avoid breathing the fumes and open windows to let air in. Call emergency services and never try to touch or throw the battery away yourself.
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