A lithium battery fire on an Air China flight has once again raised alarms about the growing threat of such incidents in aviation. On October 18, Air China Flight CA139 en route from Hangzhou to Incheon experienced a sudden lithium battery fire in a passenger's carry-on luggage stored in the overhead bin, triggering an emergency diversion.
Passengers reported hearing a loud "bang" before flames and smoke erupted from bin 14, quickly filling the cabin during meal service . Crew members responded immediately per standard operating procedures, using extinguishers and water to put out the fire within 15 seconds . The flight safely diverted to Shanghai Pudong Airport around 11:07 am, with no injuries reported among over 200 passengers and crew . Air China later deployed a replacement aircraft, which reached Incheon at 5:33 pm.
The incident stems from lithium batteries' "thermal runaway" risk, which can occur due to damage, overheating, or defects . In enclosed cabins, such fires spread rapidly and release toxic fumes . Air China offered compensation of 200 yuan for economy class and 300 yuan for business class passengers .
While regulations ban checked lithium batteries and limit carry-on ones to 100Wh (160Wh with approval), non-compliance persists . This event underscores the need for stricter checks and enhanced passenger awareness to mitigate aviation's most pressing safety hazard.
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