Smoking Laptop

[Malcolm]

Lucky it happened on the ground in a carry on and not in a checked bag when airborne.

Smoking laptop in passenger's bag prompts evacuation on American Airlines flight in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A smoking laptop in a passenger's bag prompted an evacuation on an American Airlines flight headed to Miami from San Francisco International Airport Friday, according to the airline.

Canadian Pressabout 16 hours ago

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FILE - An American Airlines Airbus A321 takes off from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Nov. 29, 2018. A smoking laptop in a passenger's bag prompted an evacuation on an American Airlines flight headed to Miami from San Francisco International Airport Friday, July 12, 2024, according to the airline. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A smoking laptop in a passenger's bag prompted an evacuation on an American Airlines flight headed to Miami from San Francisco International Airport Friday, according to the airline.

One person sustained minor injuries while exiting that required transport to a hospital, the airline said. Passengers evacuated via emergency slides and a jet bridge.

Two other passengers also reported minor injuries, according to the San Francisco Fire Department, which responded to the incident.

Crews reported the smoking laptop as passengers were boarding, the airline said.

American Airlines flight 2045 was scheduled to depart San Francisco at 12:15 p.m. for Miami. The flight will depart later Friday.

Steve Kulm, a spokesperson with the Federal Aviation Administration, said the agency will investigate.

The Associated Press

[conehead]

That’s why we’re not supposed to put electronics in checked baggage.

[Malcolm]

2 hours ago, conehead said:

That’s why we’re not supposed to put electronics in checked baggage.

and yet

Laptop computers - CATSA (catsa-acsta.gc.ca)

What Can I Bring? All | Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov)

 

[IFG]

Probably more to the story. I wonder why they wouldn't chuck the laptop out rather than the passengers.

Cheers, IFG 

[conehead]

20 minutes ago, Malcolm said:

and yet

Laptop computers - CATSA (catsa-acsta.gc.ca)

What Can I Bring? All | Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov)

 

Wow, the TSA list is extensive! I'm surprised at some of the items that are allowed to be checked. Can't check your English Christmas Crackers though, they must be carried onboard. And you are allowed to carry on your Desktop Computer! 

[Malcolm]

58 minutes ago, conehead said:

Wow, the TSA list is extensive! I'm surprised at some of the items that are allowed to be checked. Can't check your English Christmas Crackers though, they must be carried onboard. And you are allowed to carry on your Desktop Computer! 

And to make it even more interesting, AA says no to laptop check in, Delta says yes and the beat goes on airline by airline and then of course country by country. 

[J.O.]

On 7/13/2024 at 2:03 PM, Malcolm said:

And to make it even more interesting, AA says no to laptop check in, Delta says yes and the beat goes on airline by airline and then of course country by country. 

That's interesting. The regulations are very clear on the matter - any rechargeable batteries must be declared and packaged as dangerous goods to be placed in a cargo hold. Delta must have applied for an exemption to allow them in checked baggage.

[Airband]

2 hours ago, J.O. said:

The regulations are very clear on the matter - any rechargeable batteries must be declared and packaged as dangerous goods to be placed in a cargo hold.

I believe that refers to standalone batteries, not batteries installed in a device.

From the FAA website:

Lithium Batteries in Baggage

Lithium batteries, which power everyday devices, can catch fire if damaged or if battery terminals are short-circuited.

Devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium ion batteries, including – but not limited to – smartphones, tablets, cameras and laptops, should be kept in carry-on baggage. If these devices are packed in checked baggage, they should be turned completely off, protected from accidental activation and packed so they are protected from damage. Requirements vary based on the type of device and size of battery.

and

Q2. What kinds of batteries does the FAA allow in checked baggage (including gate-checked bags)? 

A2. Except for spare (uninstalled) lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries, all the batteries allowed in carry-on baggage are also allowed in checked baggage. The batteries must be protected from damage and short circuit or installed in a device. Battery-powered devices—particularly those with moving parts or those that could heat up—must be protected from accidental activation. 

Edited July 15 by Airband

[J.O.]

Weird. The FAA is a signatory to the ICAO DG technical instructions and US carriers must conform with the IATA Dangerous Goods regulations. They are very clear as to what documentation and declarations are required to carry lithium batteries "in equipment" as cargo. There's no exemptions from those requirements for passenger and crew baggage and there's no FAA difference listed. I must be missing something somewhere but if it was my bum strapped in the seat, I would not be crazy about there being a bunch of laptops and iPads sitting somewhere in the cargo hold, especially given the way some ramp crews like to throw around passenger baggage.