Battery fire forces JetBlue emergency landing
A JetBlue flight has been forced into an emergency landing after a lithium battery caught fire in the aircraft’s cabin.
JetBlue Flight 915 from New York JFK to San Francisco was diverted to Gerald R. Ford International in Grand Rapids, Michigan when a passenger’s laptop battery ignited.
The plane, carrying 158 people, ‘landed without incident,’ airport spokeswoman Tara Hernandez said.
"Our fire department cleared the scene, no injuries and all clear for JetBlue Flt#915," the airport said.
JetBlue issued a statement saying the decision to divert was taken ‘following reports of smoke emitting from a carry-on bag holding an electronic device.’
The scene was described as ‘calm.’
"I was stunned – I knew something was going to happen because, you know, lithium batteries catching on fire when you’re up at 38,000 feet you can’t help but think you’ve got to do something. Everybody was absolutely calm," said passenger Kat Honniball.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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