Recently, a video of a power bank exploding in the cabin has been circulating on the social platform Threads. The incident reportedly occurred on a flight operated by Thai AirAsia en route to Hokkaido, Japan.
During the flight, the power bank suddenly caught fire, resulting in thick smoke filling the cabin and creating a frightening scene. According to posts and videos, several flight attendants were seen putting out the fire with bottled water, eventually extinguishing the flames. The flight did not divert and arrived safely at its destination.
One male passenger posted on Threads on December 13, describing that a passenger's portable power bank suddenly self-ignited and exploded, with flames “higher than the seats” and thick smoke quickly filling the cabin. He described that at the time, there was no fire extinguisher available in the cabin, and many passengers feared for their lives.
Another female passenger also shared her experience on the platform, stating that when meals were being served after takeoff, she suddenly saw flames shooting up “about half a person's height,” followed by a strong gasoline-like odor permeating the cabin. Many passengers kept coughing, creating a very tense atmosphere.
She later learned that a passenger had apparently used a power bank to charge a device during flight, bluntly saying this act “lacked basic common sense and could have harmed innocent people.”
Thai AirAsia Confirms Passenger Suffered Minor Burns in the Incident
According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, Thai AirAsia confirmed that the flight involved was FD242, departing from Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan to Sapporo, Japan, on December 13. The incident occurred mid-flight and, after assessment, was found not to affect flight safety. The flight arrived at its destination on schedule.
Thai AirAsia stated that the passenger carrying the power bank suffered only minor burns. After the plane landed, ground staff offered assistance in arranging a medical check, but the passenger chose to continue their journey. The airline also urged passengers to purchase and use certified power banks and to comply with onboard safety regulations.
Meanwhile, aviation experts reminded that passengers should avoid using power banks to charge devices during flights and properly store battery products to reduce the risk of cabin fires and ensure flight safety.