HOUSTON – A United Express flight to Houston was diverted after a passenger’s device battery started smoking on the plane.
The pilots of United Express flight 6110, operated by Mesa Airlines, declared an emergency, according to FlightRadar24.
The plane was flying from Lubbock to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Pilots diverted to San Antonio where they safely landed without incident, an airline spokesperson told KPRC 2.
Lithium-ion batteries used in most portable electronic devices can smoke or catch fire on airplanes primarily due to a failure known as thermal runaway, a chain reaction in which rising internal temperatures cause the battery to release flammable gases, ignite, and generate extreme heat, according to the FAA.
This can be triggered by manufacturing defects, physical damage, overcharging, or short circuits. These conditions can be exacerbated in flight by pressure changes, confined storage (such as carry-on bags or overhead bins), or closely packed devices that trap heat.
Mesa Airlines is working to get all passengers to their final destinations.
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