Power bank catches fire on China Eastern Airlines flight MU2421 after landing at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport

A portable charger, commonly called a power bank, caught fire in the overhead luggage compartment on a China Eastern Airlines flight shortly after it landed at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport in China on Saturday (25). The incident happened on flight MU2421, which had departed from Lanzhou.

What happened on flight MU2421

The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320ceo. It was already on the ground when the device began burning inside the cabin baggage compartment, prompting an immediate response from crew and passengers.

Response on board

Based on the information available, those on board managed to contain the situation and extinguish the flames before the airport’s fire teams arrived, preventing the fire from spreading. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or any significant damage to the aircraft.

Recent power bank fire incidents in the region

This is the third case in recent years in China in which a power bank has caught fire during a flight. In neighbouring South Korea, an aircraft was written off after a power bank fire destroyed an Airbus A321 jet.