Chaos in the sky: Passengers flee American Airlines flight as laptop bursts into flames

An American Airlines flight bound for Miami was evacuated at San Francisco International Airport after smoke was detected in the cabin, causing panic and minor injuries. The incident occurred while the Airbus A321 was parked at the gate, awaiting departure.

The source of the smoke was traced to a laptop inside a passenger’s bag, according to the airline. Jan Jankai, a passenger on the flight, described the smoke as smelling like “burned cables,” which intensified rapidly. The situation escalated when a flame erupted from beneath his father’s seat, where the bag was placed. “It got so intense we thought we would pass out,” Jankai told ABC News. In a quick response, Jankai and his father attempted to access the emergency exit, with his father managing to throw the flaming bag out of the plane.

The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) responded to the incident, confirming that the fire was caused by a battery and was extinguished before their arrival. Three passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation, which involved both emergency slides and the jet bridge. One of the injured was taken to a local hospital for further treatment.

A laptop battery ignites on an American Airlines flight, leading to an emergency evacuation at San Francisco International Airport.

American Airlines acknowledged the incident, noting that one passenger was injured while evacuating. San Francisco International Airport officials highlighted the quick actions taken to ensure passenger safety and manage the situation effectively.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding battery fires on aircraft, prompting discussions about safety protocols and the handling of electronic devices on flights. The quick containment of the fire and the subsequent evacuation underscore the preparedness of airline and airport crews to handle such emergencies.