A Delhi-to-Chennai IndiGo flight made an emergency landing at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Sunday after a passenger’s power bank caught fire mid-air, according to media reports.
The incident prompted the flight crew to respond to the onboard fire and divert the aircraft to Hyderabad as a safety precaution. The plane landed safely, and no injuries among passengers or crew were reported in the initial accounts.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and portable electronic devices during air travel.
What Happened on the Flight?
The IndiGo aircraft was travelling from Delhi to Chennai when smoke was detected onboard. Reports said the source was a passenger’s power bank, which caught fire while stowed in an overhead compartment.
Cabin crew members responded to the incident and extinguished the fire. The flight was then diverted to Hyderabad, where it landed safely.
Authorities and aviation personnel are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Details such as the flight number and the precise cause of the power bank fire had not been independently confirmed in the initial reports.
Why Can Power Banks Catch Fire?
Most power banks use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. These batteries can overheat or catch fire if damaged, defective, improperly manufactured or exposed to certain electrical faults.
In some cases, a process known as thermal runaway can cause a battery to heat rapidly and release smoke, flames or hazardous gases. Once a battery begins burning, it can be difficult to control without appropriate equipment and procedures.
Airlines and aviation authorities have rules governing the carriage and handling of spare lithium batteries and power banks. Passengers should follow their airline’s current baggage requirements and crew instructions.
Power Bank Safety During Air Travel
Travellers should take several precautions when carrying portable chargers:
• Carry power banks in cabin baggage rather than checked baggage, in accordance with airline rules.
• Do not use or carry batteries that are swollen, leaking, damaged or unusually hot.
• Protect power banks from short circuits by preventing exposed connectors from touching metal objects.
• Follow airline instructions about using, charging and storing power banks during a flight.
• If a device becomes hot, emits smoke or starts burning, alert cabin crew immediately and do not attempt to handle a dangerous battery fire yourself.
Passengers should also check the capacity limits and restrictions imposed by their airline before travelling, as requirements can vary according to battery specifications and applicable regulations.
Flight Safety and Investigation
The aircraft’s safe landing and the absence of reported injuries were positive initial outcomes. However, an onboard battery fire can pose a serious risk because smoke and flames may affect passengers, cabin equipment and the aircraft’s operations.
The diversion allowed the crew to prioritise safety and bring the aircraft to an airport where the situation could be assessed further.
Further information from IndiGo or aviation authorities may clarify the flight details, the response onboard and whether any additional inspection or investigation was required.
