On April 28 (local time), a dramatic scene unfolded on Hawaiian Airlines flight HA457. The flight, operated by Airbus A330-200, was scheduled to travel from Honolulu to Japan when a passenger's mobile phone suddenly caught fire during the flight. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Haneda Airport, and all 140 passengers and crew members were unharmed.
According to reports from TV Asahi, the Tokyo Airport Office of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism stated that a passenger's phone ignited as HA457 was preparing to land. In a critical moment, the crew quickly placed the burning phone in a fireproof bag designed for electronic device fires, successfully containing the blaze.
After a thorough inspection, all personnel on board were confirmed safe. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Additionally, on April 1, Hawaiian Airlines experienced a similar scare when a flight landing at Narita Airport emitted smoke. Local police confirmed that the smoke was near the aircraft's tires, but no open flames were found, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Incidents of mobile phones catching fire during flights have occurred before, typically linked to lithium battery malfunctions. Modern smartphones commonly use lithium-ion batteries, whose internal chemical reactions can lead to thermal runaway under certain conditions, resulting in short circuits, overheating, or even fires. Investigations into various aviation incidents have identified primary causes, including physical damage to batteries (such as compression or drops that compromise internal structures), the use of non-original or substandard accessories, and extreme environmental factors. Furthermore, using electronic devices while charging can accelerate battery overheating, increasing the risk.
The International Civil Aviation Organization has classified lithium batteries as dangerous goods, strictly prohibiting the use of power banks during flights and requiring devices to remain turned off throughout the journey. Aviation safety experts urge passengers to adhere to regulations and avoid bringing damaged or counterfeit electronic products on board to minimize such safety hazards.
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