Overview
- Flight VA328 from Brisbane experienced a vape activation during descent, causing a small cabin fire.
- Pilots declared a PAN, and Melbourne Airport put emergency services on standby under standard procedures.
- The Boeing 737 landed safely, taxied to the gate with rescue crews following, and all passengers and crew disembarked without injury.
- Aviation Rescue Firefighters removed the device after arrival, and Virgin Australia credited crew with swiftly containing it.
- Virgin permits vapes only in carry-on with steps to prevent activation, CASA mandates protected storage for spare e‑cigarette batteries, and both Virgin and Qantas have recently tightened rules on power banks.