Laptop news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
A laptop caught fire on American Airlines Flight 2398, burning one passenger. The incident highlights lithium-ion battery risks in flight.
Background
On Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, a passenger's laptop battery caught fire during landing on American Airlines Flight 2398 from Atlanta to Dallas-Fort Worth. The pilot reported a cabin fire and possible burns to multiple passengers. The flight landed safely, and one passenger was treated and released. The incident has drawn attention to the fire risk of lithium-ion batteries in aircraft cabins.
How it unfolded
- Aug 21, 2026American Airlines Flight 2398 from Atlanta to Dallas-Fort Worth experiences a laptop battery fire during landing. Pilot reports smoke and fire in the cabin.
- Aug 22, 2026Reports emerge that one passenger was treated for burns and released. Air traffic control audio reveals pilot's concern about four to five passengers possibly burned.
- recentlyAmerican Airlines confirms the flight landed safely and thanks crew for containing the device. FAA notes lithium batteries can pose a fire risk if they enter thermal runaway.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- American Airlines stated the flight landed safely after reports of smoke from a customer's device, and thanked crew for their swift response.
- Expert
- The FAA says lithium batteries can pose a fire risk if they enter thermal runaway, highlighting the danger of such devices on aircraft.
Still unverified
The pilot's audio suggests four to five passengers may have been burned, but only one was officially confirmed treated and released. The exact number of injuries remains unconfirmed.