What happened
On 2 November 2022, an Airbus A320, registration F-HEPJ, was performing a commercial flight from Malaga-Costa del Sol to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. While the aircraft was on final approach to runway 26L, an electronic cigarette located in a passenger's trouser pocket suddenly overheated and ignited.
The passenger attempted to remove the burning object, sustaining burns to his hand before dropping it. The device fell into the seat structure, where it continued to burn, emitting significant heat and sparks. The cabin crew immediately responded to the emergency. One crew member utilized a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames and moved the separated battery into a water-filled container to cool it. A second crew member provided first aid to the injured passenger.
During the incident, the flight crew focused on maintaining the approach to avoid a missed approach, while the cabin crew managed the passengers and the fire. The aircraft landed safely, and medical assistance was waiting at the gate for the injured individual.
The investigation
The BEA examined the sequence of events, the aircraft' and crew information, and the specific equipment involved. The investigation focused on the cause of the lithium-ion battery's thermal runaway and the functionality of the crew's protective equipment.
Investigators analyzed the electronic cigarette and its 18650-type battery, though the device was handed over to airport authorities for destruction before examination. The investigation also scrutinized the protective breathing hoods used by the crew. It was discovered that one crew member was unable to correctly don her hood because an elasticated band had separated from the rim. Tests by the supplier suggested this malfunction occurred only when the equipment was handled in a non-compliant manner, and it could not be determined if the defect existed prior to the incident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the fire was the thermal runaway of a lithium-ion battery within an electronic cigarette.
- The passenger had previously noted the device was malfunctioning, as it would frequently power off unexpectedly.
- The device was carried in a pocket without any protection to prevent accidental activation.
- It was uncertain whether the device had been fully switched off prior to boarding.
- One crew member moved the battery to a water container without waiting for it to cool completely, an action driven by the urgency of the landing phase.