US Edition
Virgin to Rethink Lithium Power Packs in Cabins After Mid-Air Fire
HOBART AIRPORT, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA, JUL 21 – Crew used water and fire extinguishers to control a lithium battery fire mid-flight, with no injuries reported and the aircraft landing safely, Virgin Australia said.
- A fire broke out aboard the Virgin Australia flight VA1528, caused by a lithium battery in an overhead locker during descent, and the plane landed safely at Hobart Airport.
- An overheated battery is suspected to have caused the fire in the overhead locker, as airlines in other countries recently tightened regulations on battery carriage, and current policy requires passengers with power banks to carry them into the cabin.
- With smoke entering the cabin, crew found the bag on fire and used two extinguishers to smother the flames, one person was treated for suspected smoke inhalation, and passengers praised the crew’s calm, competent handling.
- After landing, Airservices Australia firefighters removed the bag from the overhead locker, the aircraft is being assessed for damage and a replacement plane was sourced for the return flight to Sydney, and the airline said any relevant findings may inform permanent battery policy changes.
- Aviation authorities said passenger safety should receive closer scrutiny, a series of global incidents has prompted authorities to tighten rules on power banks, and Virgin Australia asked passengers to keep power banks within sight and easily accessible.
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A fire broke out on board a Virgin Australia Boeing 737-8FE flying from Sydney, Australia, to Hobart after a lithium battery caught fire in hand luggage. The ABC reported that the crew managed to extinguish the fire in mid-air before landing. The cabin was filled with smoke, and one person was treated for the fire. Passengers described the burning battery as a “little fireball.”
Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left9Leaning Right3Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Left
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources lean Left
69% Left
L 69%
R 23%
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