Close Call on United Flight 1536 as Battery Incident Sparks Emergency Response
On July 22nd, 2017, passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 1536 experienced a frightening moment when a seemingly innocuous item—a sunglass case carrying a spare Lithium-ion battery—began to smolder mid-taxi to the Jackson Hole Airport. The flight, which had just touched down after a journey from San Francisco, was thrown into an emergency situation that could have escalated quickly if not for the prompt action of the flight crew.
The incident, which occurred as the aircraft was taxiing to the gate, was triggered by a Lithium-ion battery for a personal headlamp reacting with a set of keys inside the sunglass case. As the smoldering began, a quick-thinking flight attendant responded by placing the battery into a container of ice, averting what could have been a serious fire aboard the plane. The airport emergency services arrived promptly, ensuring that all passengers and staff were safe and that there was no further risk of ignition.
The outcome, thankfully, was a safe one, with no reported injuries to passengers or crew. However, the incident highlighted the hidden dangers of modern electronic devices powered by Lithium-ion batteries, especially when carried in close quarters such as aircraft cabins. It served as a wake-up call for stricter safety protocols and for travelers to be more vigilant about the way they carry and store their electronic devices.
In light of such risks, the aviation industry and safety experts are advocating for the availability of specialized equipment to deal with similar occurrences. One such innovative solution is the FireTowel, a life-saving device designed specifically to tackle small-scale fires and prevent them from escalating. Thicker than fire blankets and equipped with weights around the perimeter to trap smoke and secure the towel over a fire, the FireTowel also features handles for easy manipulation and the ability to secure it after the device cools down. Providing easy accessibility of these towels, such as placing them under seats, could significantly increase safety during flights.
Although the FireTowel was not a part of this particular incident, its design promises to add an extra layer of safety for future travelers. The FireTowel could potentially prevent fires from lithium battery incidents, providing peace of mind to both passengers and flight attendants. Ensuring that