An American Airlines flight carrying 133 people landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Friday evening after a passenger’s laptop caught fire inside the cabin, sending smoke through the aircraft and leaving several passengers with possible burn injuries.
American Airlines Flight 2398 was traveling from Atlanta to Dallas when the laptop began smoking and caught fire approximately 30 minutes before the aircraft reached its destination. The Airbus A321 was already approaching the Dallas area when the fire developed, prompting an immediate response from the flight crew as passengers moved away from the smoke.
Flight attendants contained the burning device using a thermal containment bag designed for overheated or burning electronic equipment. The laptop was secured within several minutes, preventing the fire from spreading through the cabin while the aircraft continued toward Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
During communications with air traffic controllers, the pilot reported a cabin fire and indicated that four or five passengers were believed to have suffered burns associated with the laptop. At least some of the possible injuries involved passengers who attempted to assist when the device was burning.
The preliminary report of multiple burn injuries has not been confirmed as the final medical count. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport reported that one passenger received medical treatment after the aircraft landed and was released at the scene. No hospitalizations or serious injuries had been publicly confirmed as of Saturday.
Flight 2398 landed safely at approximately 6:55 p.m. local time, where emergency personnel were prepared to respond. American Airlines confirmed that the aircraft arrived safely following reports of smoke from a passenger’s electronic device and said the crew quickly contained the problem.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident and identified the source as a laptop battery fire. Lithium ion batteries used in laptops, cellular phones, portable chargers and other rechargeable electronics can become dangerous when damaged or overheated. A battery failure can trigger thermal runaway, a rapid increase in temperature capable of producing intense heat, smoke and fire.
Federal aviation records show that battery related emergencies aboard aircraft remain a recurring safety issue. At least 56 incidents involving lithium batteries producing smoke, fire or extreme heat have been reported aboard aircraft in the United States during 2026.
Federal regulations place restrictions on lithium batteries carried aboard commercial aircraft, particularly larger batteries and spare batteries packed in luggage. Airlines also train flight crews to respond to electronic device fires because damaged batteries can continue generating heat even after visible flames have been extinguished.
Friday’s fire was brought under control before the aircraft reached the ground, allowing the flight to complete its trip without an emergency evacuation. The FAA investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the battery failure and the response aboard Flight 2398.