A routine flight from Hong Kong to Singapore turned tense late last week when a passenger’s electronic device allegedly ignited mid-air, prompting a rapid and professional response from flight crew. The incident, involving a Scoot service that landed safely at Changi Airport, underscores the critical need for vigilance regarding lithium-ion batteries in aviation and highlights the thorough safety training of cabin staff in handling onboard emergencies.
The event took place on Scoot Flight TR939, traveling from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) on November 22. According to a statement released by the airline, the disruption was caused by the overheating and subsequent ignition of a passenger’s rechargeable power bank. Social media footage posted shortly after the incident depicted several flight attendants immediately engaging with the situation, deploying fire extinguishers and utilizing water to cool and contain the smoking device, which reportedly left scorch marks beneath a seat.
Addressing the Mid-Flight Ignition
Reports from passengers on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu indicated that a burning odor was perceptible during the aircraft’s descent phase. While initial speculations suggested a laptop might have been the culprit, Scoot confirmed the source was an external power bank.
Cabin crew implemented standard emergency procedures swiftly. They secured the remnants of the compromised device in a refuse bag—a critical step to prevent further thermal runaway. The flight continued to its destination, landing safely in Singapore at 9:06 p.m. local time, slightly later than its scheduled 8:25 p.m. arrival due to the initial departure delay from Hong Kong.
Upon arrival at Changi, emergency services, including firefighters and paramedics, boarded the aircraft as a standard precautionary measure. All passengers and staff disembarked safely and normally, and critically, no injuries were reported among anyone onboard.
Scoot emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority, issuing an apology for the disruption and inconvenience experienced by those traveling on TR939. The successful outcome is directly attributable to the swift, decisive action taken by the flight attendants.
Aviation Safety and Lithium-Ion Risks
This incident serves as a sharp reminder of the inherent risks associated with carrying lithium-ion batteries—ubiquitous in rechargeable devices such as power banks, laptops, and smartphones—in aircraft cabins. These batteries are susceptible to a phenomenon known as thermal runaway, where internal short-circuiting leads to uncontrollable heat generation and potential fire.
Airlines mandate specific rules regarding these devices for mitigating fire risk:
- Carry-on Required: Spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks must always be kept in carry-on baggage, not checked luggage, as the crew must be able to address an ignition event immediately.
- Capacity Limits: Most airlines impose limits on the watt-hour (Wh) rating of power banks allowed on board.
- Protection: Devices should be individually protected to prevent short circuits, such as being kept in their original packaging or wrapped separately.
While rare, such thermal events pose a serious threat to aircraft safety. Aviation authorities globally, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), continuously issue guidance on handling these devices. This near-miss reinforces the necessity for travelers to adhere strictly to airline guidelines concerning electronic devices to ensure continued flight safety for everyone onboard.