Shanghai, China – An Air China flight from Hangzhou to Incheon made an emergency landing at Shanghai-Pudong Airport on October 18 after a powerbank exploded in an overhead luggage bin, sending smoke and flames into the cabin.
Fire in an overhead bin
Passengers on Flight CA139, operated by an Airbus A321-232, reported smelling burning and seeing smoke before flames became visible in one of the overhead compartments. “I heard a loud hissing and immediately smelled something burning,” a passenger wrote in an online post. Cabin crew used a fire extinguisher and were able to contain the blaze before it spread further.
Immediate diversion and safe touchdown
The pilots decided to divert and perform an emergency landing at Shanghai-Pudong. The aircraft landed safely and no injuries were reported, though passengers were left shaken by the incident. Air China said the affected powerbank was removed from a passenger’s belongings and reiterated that passenger safety was the airline’s top priority.
Battery risks at altitude
The device involved was identified as a lithium-ion powerbank. Lithium-ion batteries are known to carry a risk of thermal runaway — overheating or damage can cause them to ignite or explode. Airlines treat these devices as a potential hazard: powerbanks are generally allowed only in carry-on baggage and must not be placed in checked luggage because a fire in the hold is harder to detect and fight.
Investigation under way
Chinese authorities opened an investigation to determine whether the device failed due to a manufacturing defect, damage or improper storage. Flight CA139’s passengers walked away unharmed, but the episode served as a stark reminder of the risks everyday electronic devices can pose when they fail at cruising altitude.