What happened
On the early morning of March 7, 2017, an Air Berlin flight, BER8070, arrived at Helsinki-Vantaa airport from Berlin. Shortly after the Airbus A320-216 (registration DABZI) had docked at gate 29 and the crew had disengaged the jet bridge, passengers noticed smoke and a strong electrical burning odor in the forward section of the cabin.
Upon discovering the smoke, the cabin crew immediately initiated emergency procedures. A crew member donned protective breathing equipment (PBE) and utilized a Halon fire extinguisher to combat the source of the smoke. The crew identified that the smoke was emanating from a nylon backpack located in the footwell of seat 8F. The fire was contained after the crew member successfully extinguished the device.
Due to the persistent acrid smell in the cabin, the crew ordered an immediate evacuation. Passengers were instructed to leave all hand luggage and heavy clothing behind to expedite the process. While most passengers exited through the forward left door, some delays occurred as some individuals attempted to retrieve their belongings, temporarily obstructing the aisle.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events, the effectiveness of the crew's response, and the technical cause of the fire. Investigators examined the aircraft's interior, the damaged laptop and backpack, and the fire suppression equipment used. The investigation also reviewed the coordination between the airline, airport ground handling, and emergency services, including the handling of passengers once they reached the terminal.
Findings
- The fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery within a passenger's laptop.
- The fire originated in the footwell of seat 8F and caused minor damage to the seat padding, cabin floor, and side wall.
- The cabin crew acted decisively, using protective equipment and fire extinguishers to manage the smoke and fire within approximately one minute of the initial discovery.
- The evacuation was successful, though the movement of passengers was slowed by some individuals attempting to collect carry-on items despite instructions to leave them.
- There were no injuries resulting from the incident.