An Alaska Airlines flight from Wichita to Seattle turned back shortly after takeoff Friday afternoon when a passenger’s external phone battery caught fire.
Flight 2117, operated by Horizon Air, departed Wichita before returning to the airport. A passenger’s cell phone and power bank overheated mid-flight, and the external battery ignited. Flight attendants placed the phone and power bank into a containment bag while preparing for landing.
Airport emergency response personnel evaluated three people after the Embraer 175 jet landed safely. One person was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The airline said the passenger who owned the device received medical attention after the aircraft returned to the gate.
External batteries are allowed in airplane cabins but can experience thermal runaway, a dangerous chain reaction that can lead to fires, according to a Wichita airport spokesperson.
Alaska Airlines said it is working to reaccommodate passengers on other flights to Seattle.
