What happened
On September 3, 2014, an Airbus A321-111 operating a scheduled flight from Vienna to Cairo was on its final approach to Cairo International Airport (HECA). During the descent phase, a passenger noticed significant smoke emanating from an iPad Air that was still in its original packaging.
The passenger immediately moved the device to the forward galley, where cabin crew took charge of the situation. The crew utilized three Halon fire extinguishers to suppress the smoke and flames. Once the fire was under control, the device was cooled with water, and separated components were placed in a water-filled container. Despite the incident, the flight continued as planned without a declaration of an emergency, and the aircraft landed safely in Cairo.
The investigation
The Austrian SUB examined the damaged device and its packaging. Investigators noted that the tablet, which the passenger claimed had never been used or charged since its purchase, was heavily damaged. The internal plastic components of the original packaging showed signs of intense heat, with some parts having melted to the back of the device. The USB charging cable was missing from the package.
Analysis of the damage patterns suggested that the thermal event originated from within the device and spread outward. While the external casing showed no obvious mechanical damage prior to the incident, the severity of the fire made it impossible to rule out pre-existing external damage. The investigation also confirmed that the crew's response—using Halon for initial suppression followed by water for cooling—aligned with established procedures for lithium-ion battery fires.
Findings
- The incident was highly likely caused by the overheating of the lithium polymer battery within the tablet.
- The specific trigger for the internal chemical reaction, such as a short circuit or rapid discharge, could not be definitively determined because the internal components of the device were not subjected to a detailed microscopic examination.
- The device was an Apple iPad Air (Model A1474) containing a lithium polymer battery with a nominal energy of approximately 27.3 Wh.
- There was no evidence of overcharging or improper charging, as the passenger reported the device had not been used or connected to power since its purchase.