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7h ago

Delta Flight Diverts to Fort Myers After Portable Charger Fire

The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, prompting airlines to tighten rules on portable batteries to combat a surge in in-flight lithium-ion fires.

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Overview

  • A passenger’s portable lithium-ion charger ignited aboard Delta Flight 1334 from Atlanta, forcing the Boeing 757-200 to divert and land safely at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.
  • Flight attendants isolated the device in a fireproof containment bag and extinguished the flames with no injuries reported among the 185 passengers and six crew members.
  • FAA data show 34 lithium battery incidents on U.S. flights so far this year and a 388% increase in such fires since 2015.
  • Southwest Airlines now requires portable chargers to remain in sight and Singapore Airlines has banned in-flight power banks in response to rising fire risks.
  • Carriers have emphasized crew training and standardized fire-containment procedures as key safety measures against growing lithium battery hazards.