Overview
- A passenger's power bank began emitting smoke aboard Tianjin Airlines flight GS7829 as the Airbus A320neo prepared to land, triggering an onboard firefighting response and an evacuation.
- Crew members announced a fire situation and managed the device and cabin; the aircraft landed safely and no passengers or crew were injured.
- Passengers were ordered to disembark without baggage and were later allowed a brief reboarding to collect belongings, with the incident causing about a one hour and 12 minute delay.
- Tianjin Airlines confirmed the power bank produced smoke and urged travelers to carry only certified 3C power banks in hand luggage or on their person, noting such devices are banned from checked baggage.
- The event adds to rising concern about thermal runaway in portable lithium batteries and may accelerate tighter limits and screening by airlines and regulators for power banks and similar chargers.