‘So Many People, So Scared’: Ryanair Flight Evacuated After Phone Charger Ignites
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
A Ryanair flight from Barcelona to Ibizia was evacuated on Tuesday when a passenger’s cell phone charger caught on fire.
The phone caught fire while it was being charged by a portable battery pack, which ignited the initial flames, Ryanair told Newsweek. Fortunately, the incident occurred before takeoff, and — thanks to a fast-moving passenger — was quickly extinguished before it could do serious damage.
The phone, however, was charred to a crisp.
Here you can find the pics of the mobile phone and power bank that caused the #evacuation on #ryanair flight yesterday at Barcelona Airport. Caution awareness needs to be raising regarding #lithiumbattery #cabincrew #flightattendant #azafata #aeromoza #TCP #dangerousgoods pic.twitter.com/7GRA0OSz3d
— Cabin Crew Club (@club_cabin) August 1, 2018
All passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft via the emergency inflatable slides. Ryanair said it put the passengers on a different plane, and they were eventually flown to Ibizia.
Passenger Anthony Carrio posted a video of the fiery incident on Instagram. He said he was sitting in the same row as the flyer with the charger, and after it ignited, he’d “never seen so many people so scared.”
A post shared by Anthony Carrio (@anthcarrio) on
Just one lithium battery, if left in the cargo hold, can take a commercial plane down, according to a new study by the FAA. Especially if the flames mix with other flammable items like aerosol spray or other cosmetics, the plane could rapidly catch fire. Airlines instruct passengers to keep all items with lithium batteries, like cell phones and laptops, with them in the cabin so if they do overheat and ignite, they can be extinguished by flight crew.
Featured photo by Shutterstock.com
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.