Passengers onboard a Chinese Tianjin Airlines flight were alarmed when a power bank overheated, emitting thick smoke in the cabin as the plane was nearing its destination. Concerned travelers raised fears of a potential fire due to the dense smoke filling the aircraft.
One passenger described the situation, mentioning the escalating noise and the strong smell of smoke without any visible flames present. Cabin crew swiftly responded to the emergency, alerting passengers of a potential fire onboard and instructing them to remain calm while firefighting protocols were activated.
The incident occurred while the Airbus A320neo was preparing to land on the morning of June 15, having departed from Tianjin Binhai International Airport in China and landing safely at Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport. After landing, passengers were temporarily evacuated without their luggage before being allowed to retrieve their belongings later.
Tianjin Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that the power bank issue was promptly addressed by the crew following standard procedures, resulting in no injuries or damage to the aircraft. The airline emphasized the importance of ensuring power banks meet safety standards to prevent such incidents in the future.
The occurrence led to a delay of approximately one hour and 12 minutes, but no injuries were reported, and the aircraft remained undamaged. This event underscores the tightening regulations by airlines and aviation authorities globally regarding the use and storage of power banks to mitigate risks of thermal incidents.
Tianjin Airlines currently permits passengers to carry power banks in their carry-on luggage or on their person but strictly prohibits them in checked baggage to uphold safety measures.