Technology and Science22 August, 20263 min read
American Airlines Flight 2398 Laptop Fire Injures Passengers During Landing At Dallas Fort Worth
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Laptop caught fire on American Airlines Flight 2398 from Atlanta to Dallas One passenger treated and released after landing at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
DFW laptop fire
American Airlines Flight 2398 arrived safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport after a passenger’s laptop ignited as the aircraft was landing, with one passenger receiving medical treatment and being released. BBC reported that air traffic control audio captured the pilot saying, "cabin fire in the back of the airplane" and that "the flight attendants are trying to put it out now," as the laptop was contained about mid-aircraft. The BBC also said the flight originated in Atlanta, Georgia, and that the airline told the BBC it landed safely "after reports of smoke from a customer's device during landing".
CBS News similarly reported that the pilot told controllers, "I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop," while the airport statement said one passenger was treated and released after the landing. The FAA recorded a minimum of 56 battery incidents in 2026, according to its August 11 list, and the FAA cautioned the list may not be exhaustive.
ATC audio and FAA
CBS News said the pilot reported possible burn injuries after the laptop caught fire, and that the flight was met by emergency personnel upon arrival at DFW. In the same ATC audio, the pilot said, "The flight attendants are trying to put it out now," and later told controllers the laptop was contained before the aircraft taxied to the gate. The FAA warned that lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire due to "thermal runaway," and CBS News quoted the FAA saying it can occur "without warning" if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly packed.
TechStock² said the broader risk is ongoing, pointing to an updated Federal Aviation Administration roster as of August 11 documenting a minimum of 56 U.S. incidents involving batteries with smoke, fire, or excessive heat in 2026. TechStock² added that investors were watching for Monday’s market reaction, while the airport’s first statement confirmed just one passenger was treated and released.
Rules, scrutiny, and risk
The FAA’s advisory cited by BBC and CBS News said lithium batteries, including laptop batteries, are capable of overheating, and that lithium batteries must be stowed in carry-on baggage only rather than checked luggage. Simple Flying said the incident involved an Airbus A321 with 133 people onboard, and it reported that the aircraft taxied to the gate at Terminal C on its own power after being met by emergency personnel. Simple Flying also described thermal runaway as a process where a lithium battery overheats and ignites, and it linked the FAA’s factors to damage, improper packing, or exposure to water.
TechStock² said American is under new examination regarding cabin safety after the DFW laptop incident, and it warned that an FAA assessment might reveal shortcomings in cabin protocols. TechStock² further said lawsuits, damage to aircraft, or limits on operations could drive costs higher, while it noted that American runs upwards of 6,000 flights a day and that a single affected arrival accounts for under 0.02% of its usual daily operations ahead of any subsequent inspections or claims.