Early on Tuesday morning, United Airlines Flight 2664 was forced to turn around after a battery caught fire on board. The flight was departing from San Diego and heading to Newark. The fire resulted in four passengers being taken to the hospital for treatment.
The incident occurred about an hour into the flight, forcing the plane to turn around. The fire was quickly put out, but not before several passengers suffered from smoke inhalation. According to United Airlines, the cause of the fire was traced back to a man’s battery charger.
The four passengers who were hospitalized were treated for minor injuries. All passengers were safely evacuated from the plane, and the airline is working with local authorities to determine what caused the fire.
The incident caused a significant delay for the passengers, as the flight was forced to turn back to San Diego and another plane was sent to pick them up. The New York Times reported that the airline provided the passengers with hotel accommodations and a new flight, which finally arrived in Newark later in the day.
Battery-related fires on airplanes have become increasingly common in recent years, and airlines have taken steps to regulate the use of electronics on board. The Federal Aviation Administration has issued guidelines for air travelers, recommending that they only use approved batteries and not bring damaged or recalled batteries on board.
It’s important for travelers to be mindful of the batteries and electronic devices they bring on board, as incidents like this can put not only themselves but also other passengers and crew members at risk. United Airlines is conducting an investigation into the incident and working to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.