Laptop catches fire on American Airlines flight as multiple passengers reportedly burned

An American Airlines passenger was treated for burns Friday after a laptop battery caught fire aboard a flight from Atlanta to Dallas , reportedly injuring four to five people.

The Airbus A321, which was carrying about 133 people after departing Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, landed safely at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport around 6:55 p.m. local time, the Federal Flight Association told The Independent in a statement Saturday.

Flight attendants contained the fire using a thermal containment bag. Emergency crews met the flight upon landing, and one patient was treated and released, a DFW spokesperson added.

“American Airlines Flight 2398 landed safely at DFW after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing,” the airline said in a separate statement to The Independent. “We thank our crew for their professionalism and swift response to quickly contain the device.”

Air traffic control audio obtained by CBS Texas captured the pilot reporting that a laptop caught fire on board, injuring four to five passengers.

“I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop,” the pilot can be heard saying, per the outlet. “The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft. “Once we taxi clear, I guess the best plan to follow is to the gate or any way you guys can board?”

The pilot said the passengers suffered burns to their hands in the incident.

Lithium batteries are commonly used in laptops, cellphones, charging cases and portable chargers. The FAA has recorded 58 incidents involving lithium batteries that caused smoke or fire on passenger planes so far in 2026.

“All lithium-ion batteries are capable of overheating and undergoing a process called thermal runaway,” the FAA website states . “Thermal runaway can occur without warning as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly packed. Thermal runaway can also occur on its own due to manufacturing defects.”

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