Overview

• Air China said a removable lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on ignited in an overhead compartment on Flight CA139 from Hangzhou to Incheon.
• The crew extinguished the flames per procedure, and the aircraft diverted to Shanghai Pudong for a safe landing with no injuries reported.
• Passenger-captured images and video showed flames and dense black smoke pouring from the bin as some travelers attempted to assist.
• Flight-tracking data indicated departure at 09:47 local time and arrival in Shanghai shortly after 11:00 following a turnback over waters between China’s east coast and Japan’s Kyushu.
• The episode aligns with broader safety concerns over lithium batteries, with the FAA recording 38 in-flight smoke or fire cases through June this year after 89 last year.