Battery fire forces Florida-bound Delta flight to make emergency landing
Share and Follow


FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA) — A Delta flight bound for Fort Lauderdale made an emergency landing Monday after a passenger’s personal battery caught fire mid-flight and began filling the cabin with smoke.

Flight 1334 from Atlanta was not far from its destination when the fire happened.

Flight attendants quickly extinguished the burning device, which, in a statement provided to NBC affiliate WBBH, Delta Air Lines said was believed to be a personal battery.

The crew was forced to divert to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers due to lingering smoke.

The pilot said over the radio, “OK, so the uh, the backpack has been contained. We think it was a lithium, uhh, battery that uh, caused the smoke and the fire. It’s in a containment bag,” in audio from liveatc.net.

Officials said the plane landed safely in Fort Myers, and no injuries were reported among the 185 passengers and six crew members onboard.

“We appreciate the quick work and actions by our people to follow their training, and we apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels,” a Delta spokesperson said in a statement.

The airline said it was working to help passengers reach their destinations as quickly as possible following the diversion. The Boeing 757-200 was taken out of service for further inspection.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Live Stream: Orange County Sheriff’s Office Prepares for Back-to-School with Community Supply Drive at 10 a.m.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Just as we all start to settle into…

UN Reports Over 17 Million Yemenis Facing Hunger, Including 1 Million Kids

TANZANIA – More than 17 million people in conflict-torn Yemen are going…

Trump's trade blitz produces few deals but lots of uncertainty

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and his advisers promised a lightning…

According to police, Monticello burglary case solved with the help of business security cameras

MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — The Monticello Police Department is highlighting the usefulness…

Exciting new youth tournament featuring kids from 35 states kicks off in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Baseball is getting a twist, with a bunch…

Decatur Approves Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking, Citing a Troubling Pattern

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Three different agencies are putting a team together…

A man was shot and wounded by a deputy of the Lake County sheriff’s office.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A Lake County sheriff’s deputy shot and injured…

Discussion on Horse Carriage Safety on Agenda for Savannah City Council Meeting

SAVANNAH, Ga. () – Alderman Nick Palumbo is making his voice heard…