On February 24, 2025, a Batik Air flight OD-530 from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to Bangkok, Thailand, operated by Boeing 737-800 (Reg. 9M-LNP), encountered a harrowing incident just 30 minutes before its scheduled landing at Don Mueang International Airport. The Boeing 737, which had departed at 11:20 a.m.. Malaysia time, was carrying a full complement of passengers when smoke began pouring from an overhead luggage compartment, filling the cabin with a thick haze and the acrid smell of burning. The source of the smoke was later identified as a power bank, a portable charger commonly used for electronic devices, which had caught fire in a passenger’s bag. This alarming event unfolded at a critical juncture, as the aircraft was preparing for descent, with flight attendants already seated and buckled in for landing.
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The situation escalated quickly as passengers noticed what appeared to be steam emanating from the compartment, only to realize it was smoke accompanied by a strong chemical-like odor. The cabin crew sprang into action, demonstrating remarkable composure and efficiency. Three flight attendants were seen assessing the overhead bins, running their hands along the compartments to locate the source of heat. Once identified, they instructed passengers seated beneath the affected area to move, ensuring their safety before addressing the fire. Initially, the crew opened the compartment slightly and deployed a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames. Despite this, the smoke persisted, prompting further efforts to extinguish the blaze completely.
After several tense minutes, the compartment was fully opened, releasing a plume of white smoke into the cabin. The crew then assisted passengers in removing their bags from the area, and a man seated across the aisle stood on his seat to retrieve a black bag believed to contain the malfunctioning power bank. Accompanied by a flight attendant carrying an extinguisher, he was escorted to the rear of the plane, where the device was removed from the bag and placed into a container. To ensure the fire was fully extinguished, a flight attendant poured water from three mineral water bottles into the container, a makeshift but effective solution given the circumstances. The swift response brought the situation under control within minutes, preventing panic from spreading among the passengers and allowing the aircraft to proceed with its landing.
Upon arrival at Don Mueang International Airport, emergency services, including firefighters and ambulances, were on standby to ensure the safety of everyone on board. The plane touched down without further incident, and all passengers, crew, and the captain disembarked unharmed. The power bank, which likely contained a lithium-ion battery, highlighted a growing concern in aviation safety. Such batteries, while ubiquitous in modern travel, pose a fire risk due to overheating or damage, a danger that has prompted some airlines to impose restrictions. In the wake of a separate incident involving an Air Busan plane fire in January 2025, the South Korean Transport Ministry announced plans to ban power banks and e-cigarettes from overhead bins, reflecting heightened public anxiety about onboard fires. The Batik Air crew’s professionalism averted a potentially catastrophic outcome, earning praise for their quick thinking and teamwork. The aircraft, inspected upon landing, showed no lasting damage, and no injuries were reported. This incident, occurring so close to landing, underscored the importance of stringent safety protocols and the need for passengers to adhere to airline regulations regarding lithium-ion devices, which are permitted only in carry-on luggage precisely to allow for rapid intervention if issues arise. For those aboard the flight, the experience was a stark reminder of the fragility of air travel safety, tempered by gratitude for the calm and capable response that ensured their safe arrival in Bangkok.