A flight from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat experienced a moment of chaos when a power bank exploded on board. The incident occurred on Thai AirAsia flight FD3188, causing a midair fire that was quickly extinguished by the combined efforts of passengers and crew. The power bank belonged to a family of seven to eight people who were traveling for a vacation. It had been stowed in the seat pocket when it suddenly ignited. The sight of smoke and flames coming from the 15th row of the aircraft caused a brief period of panic among the passengers.
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Despite the initial chaos and confusion, those on board were able to come together and extinguish the blaze within two minutes. The flight was able to continue and land safely at Nakhon Si Thammarat airport as scheduled. There were 186 passengers on board. An initial investigation found burn marks on the seats near the incident. Thai AirAsia later confirmed that the explosion was caused by a power bank brought into the aircraft by a passenger¹. The airline thanked passengers for their assistance and cooperation, which enabled efforts to extinguish the fire to proceed effectively.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of electronic devices on flights. Thai AirAsia has advised passengers not to place power banks in their checked luggage stored in the cargo hold. Only power banks of permissible size are allowed to be hand-carried in the aircraft cabin.
In conclusion, the power bank explosion on Thai AirAsia flight FD3188 was a frightening incident that fortunately ended without any injuries. It underscores the importance of adhering to safety guidelines regarding electronic devices on flights. As airlines continue to navigate the challenges posed by modern technology, incidents like these highlight the need for ongoing vigilance and adherence to safety protocols.