Alaska Airlines Passenger’s Phone and Power Bank Catch Fire Mid-Flight, Leaving One Hospitalized

An Alaska Airlines flight made an emergency landing on Sunday, February 22, following a mid-air incident involving a passenger’s phone and portable charger that ignited a fire in the cabin. The aircraft, operated by Horizon Air, had just departed from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport en route to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when the situation developed.

According to reports from some passengers, the fire erupted shortly after take-off. Leana Stickler, who was seated near the affected passenger, described the alarming scene. She shared with local news outlet KAKE that the woman had placed a lithium-ion battery pack in her lap to charge her phone when it suddenly caught fire. “It was just sitting in her lap, and then it exploded,” Stickler recounted, adding that the flames reached approximately a foot high and caused burns to the woman’s arms and legs. In a swift response, the woman threw the flaming device into the aisle, prompting nearby passengers to intervene with towels and footwear to extinguish the fire.

Fellow passenger Tracy Soom recounted the sequence of events, indicating that the flight had only been airborne for about 15 minutes when the chaos ensued. “The flight attendants came running back with a fire extinguisher and put it out,” Soom reported. The smoke from the incident quickly filled the cabin, making it difficult for passengers to breathe.

The Wichita Airport Authority later confirmed that the incident was indeed caused by a passenger’s external battery catching fire mid-flight. Emergency responders evaluated three individuals upon landing, one of whom required transport to a local hospital for further treatment. Alaska Airlines confirmed that the passenger affected by the overheating devices was provided medical attention once they landed.

In a statement issued to PEOPLE, an Alaska Airlines spokesperson noted that the one affected passenger received care at the gate following the incident. They also mentioned that both the phone and the portable charger were placed into a containment bag while preparing for the emergency landing. “Our guests arrived in Seattle on a later flight. We appreciated their patience,” the spokesperson added.

The rise in such incidents has become a growing concern in aviation safety. Data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that in 2025, there were 95 verified incidents involving lithium batteries on flights, marked by smoke, fire, or extreme heat. This statistic represents an increase from 89 reports in 2024. Already, five verified incidents have occurred in 2026.

Lithium-ion batteries, including those found in mobile phones and portable chargers, can experience a critical failure known as thermal runaway, which may occur without warning. Factors contributing to this phenomenon include damage to the battery, overheating, exposure to moisture, overcharging, improper packing, or manufacturing defects. To mitigate risk, the FAA mandates that all spare lithium-ion batteries be stored in carry-on luggage, as opposed to checked baggage.

The incident on the Alaska Airlines flight underscores the importance of awareness around the safe handling of lithium batteries, particularly when travelling. Experts advise that passengers should ensure their devices and chargers are in proper condition and that they follow all safety protocols set by airlines.

This unfolding situation has sparked conversations about passenger safety and the rising number of incidents related to such batteries. With air travel becoming increasingly routine, both airlines and passengers must remain vigilant to prevent similar occurrences in the future.