American Airlines passenger describes evacuating from a smoke-filled plane in San Francisco.
An American Airlines flight was evacuated at San Francisco International Airport after smoke was reported in the cabin while the plane was parked at the gate. Airport officials confirmed that the smoke originated from a laptop in a passenger’s bag.
Passenger Jan Jankai, who was on the flight with his father, recounted their experience to ABC News. He noted that upon boarding, there was a strong smell reminiscent of burnt cables, which intensified over time. Shortly after, Jankai and others noticed a significant flame emerging from below his father’s seat, prompting panic as the smoke thickened to alarming levels. He described the situation as so dire that they felt they might lose consciousness.
In a rush to escape, Jankai and his father unbuckled their seatbelts and attempted to reach the back emergency exit. Jankai’s father was seated directly above the passenger’s bag that was on fire. In an effort to contain the situation, he managed to throw the burning bag out of the emergency exit door.
San Francisco International Airport reported that three individuals sustained minor injuries during the evacuation process. One of these individuals required transportation to a local hospital, as confirmed by the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) in a subsequent update. American Airlines acknowledged that they were aware of at least one passenger suffering minor injuries while exiting the aircraft.
The SFFD clarified that the incident was caused by a battery fire, which was extinguished before firefighters arrived at the scene. Following the evacuation, some passengers used the emergency slides to exit the aircraft, while others were able to disembark through the jet bridge.
Overall, the incident highlights the potential dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries found in laptops and other devices, which can pose fire risks if damaged or malfunctioning. American Airlines is currently reviewing the situation and has expressed concern for the safety of all passengers involved in this unsettling event.