Flames on Board: Air China Flight Forced into Emergency Landing in Shanghai After Lithium Battery Fire
SHANGHAI, CHINA—A terrifying mid-air emergency struck an Air China flight on Saturday when a lithium battery inside a passenger’s carry-on bag ignited spontaneously, forcing the jet to make an unscheduled landing in Shanghai.
The fire, which erupted in an overhead compartment, caused panic among passengers but was quickly contained by the cabin crew, who were praised for their swift and professional response.
The Flight and the Fire
Flight CA139, an Airbus A321 carrying over 140 people, departed Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) at 9:47 a.m. local time, bound for Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea.
Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the situation turned critical when a lithium-ion battery (believed to be a portable power bank) stored in a bag in the overhead bin went into thermal runaway and caught fire.
- Emergency Landing: The pilots declared an emergency and successfully diverted the aircraft to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), landing safely around 11:00 a.m.
- Response: Air China confirmed in a social media statement that the crew “immediately handled the situation according to procedures,” preventing the fire from spreading beyond the luggage and the overhead bin.
- Casualties: Miraculously, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
Video and images shared online by passengers showed bright flames and thick black smoke filling the cabin as flight attendants rushed to extinguish the blaze, with passengers calling out in alarm.
The Growing Lithium Threat
The incident is the latest in a growing number of cases highlighting the fire hazard posed by lithium-ion batteries—which power everything from phones to power banks—when they are damaged, overheated, or defective.
Aviation authorities worldwide stress that these batteries should never be placed in checked baggage, as a fire in the cargo hold can be impossible to contain. However, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the danger they pose even when carried in the cabin.
Air China arranged a replacement Airbus A321 to transport the affected passengers to Seoul later that afternoon. The original aircraft remains on the ground in Shanghai for inspection.
Conclusion
The successful outcome of Air China Flight CA139 is a direct result of the cabin crew’s decisive training, which averted a major catastrophe. While the incident underscores the growing security challenge posed by lithium batteries, it also reinforces why aviation regulations mandate keeping these devices in the cabin, where quick crew intervention can contain a fire before it destroys the aircraft.
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Disclaimer
The details in this report are based on official statements from Air China and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), as well as flight data. The investigation into the cause of the battery ignition is ongoing. Passengers are reminded to adhere strictly to all airline and IATA guidelines regarding the transport of lithium-ion batteries.
Official Website Link: Air China: https://www.airchina.com/
