Laptop fire on plane forces emergency landing

UNITED BOEING 737-924 N68807 (MSN 42819)

A United 737 flying from San Diego (SAN/KSAN) to New York's Newark Liberty Airport (EWR/KEWR) was forced to turn back after a laptop battery pack caught fire in the cabin leaving a half-dozen people with complaints of smoke inhalation.

United Airlines Flight 2664 left San Diego International Airport from runway 27 at 7.21am Tuesday and returned eleven minutes later, landing on runway 27 at 7.32am.

The flight crew was able to prevent the blaze from spreading by putting the burning electronic device into a fire-safe bag, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

After the Boeing 737 made a safe emergency landing in San Diego, paramedics evaluated six people who reported respiratory issues due to smoke from the fire, the city agency reported. Four were taken to medical centers for further examination and treatment, while the other two declined hospital checkups.

FAA personnel will investigate the mishap, according to the federal agency.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: United

Code: UA/UAL

Aircraft: Boeing 737 Max 8

Registration: N77259

Serial Number: 43462

Engines: 2 x CFMI LEAP-1B

First Flew: 31st July 2021

Age: 1 Yrs. 7 Mts