A small vaping device was very nearly the cause of an emergency on an in-flight airplane. It was not due to the usual causes for an emergency (like turbulence or engine problems) but rather an electronic issue with the vape that caused it to emit smoke just before landing.
This incident occurred on Virgin Australia Flight VA328 on a normal, routine flight from Sydney, Australia to Melbourne, Australia – right up until the airplane made its final approach into Melbourne Airport, where tensions rose among the passengers as they prepared to land. Someone in the airplane cabin saw something unusual as the airplane was approaching the airport.
Initially, it was unclear what was happening; however, someone in the cabin of the airplane notified a member of the flight crew that the vape was malfunctioning by emitting smoke and vapour.
The flight crew called for a ‘PAN’ with the use of a transponder code; ‘PAN’ is a transponder code to alert Air Traffic Control (ATC) of a situation that is urgent but does not pose an immediate threat to life; thus, the flight crew used the PAN code to inform Air Traffic Control that they required priority for landing, however, they still had control of their aircraft.
The flight crew handled the situation by dismantling the vaping device to deter the spread of the vapour and/or smoke and to alleviate panic amongst the passengers prior to landing. Based on early evidence, it was determined that the battery of the vaping device had overcharged and was found to have ignited and burned due to the failings of lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium batteries that are often found in vapes may be able to go through something called thermal runaway, which can result in heat being created with no control, possibly creating a fire or even exploding. Because of the confined area created on an aircraft, thermal runaway could be a serious issue.
As the Boeing 737-800 continued to descend, the pilots maintained complete control throughout. The pilots were able to maintain their composure and safely control the aircraft.
No injuries were reported from this incident. The aircraft taxied to the gate by itself, passengers deplaned via normal processes, and emergency response services were in attendance in preparation for this event. The defective vape was removed from the aircraft as soon as practical.
Virgin Australia confirmed that the vape did in fact catch fire, creating smoke, but did not cause any significant damage to the aircraft; however, it does demonstrate to travelers that many potential dangers exist.
Vape pens, power banks, and other small electronics use lithium-ion batteries and could pose a risk of fire when they are damaged, overheated or faulty. This is especially true on airplanes.
Vape pens are not permitted to travel in checked baggage due to the fact that if something were to go wrong, it can be dealt with immediately if it happens in the passenger cabin rather than in the aircraft’s cargo area.
So, keep in mind when you are about to board your flight that one small electronic device in your bag may be more hazardous than you think.
