A Southwest Airlines flight operating between Chicago, IL and Miami, FL reported an issue with a cell phone battery emitting smoke on 4 August 2024.
Southwest Airlines flight WN3204 was conducting its descent for an approach to the destination Miami International Airport (MIA). During the initial descent procedure, flight crew observed smoke emitting from a cell phone in the flight deck.
Southwest WN3204 Chicago-Miami
As a result, the operating crew made a decision to divert to nearby Palm Beach International airport (PBI) as a precautionary measure.
The flight subsequently landed at the diversion airport without incident.
A subsequent report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the safe landing of the flight at Palm Beach International Airport at approximately 1800 local time.
The diversion incident arose from smoke which was emitted by the cell phone battery. The incident will now be the subject of an FAA investigation.
Flight Details
Flight data shows that flight WN3204 made an on-time departure out of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) at 1424 local time.
The flight had proceeded normally, climbing to flight level FL360 (36,000 feet) for the southerly regional service to Florida.
The diversion to Palm Beach International Airport was then made whilst the aircraft was in the early stages of its descent for the intended destination.
The aircraft conducting the WN3204 service from Chicago was a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered N8889Q.
This is a 0.9 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier Southwest Airlines. It has been an operational service with the airline since its initial delivery in December 2023.
A smoking cell phone battery is a serious issue that could create a dangerous situation in-flight.
Battery-related issues:
Internal short circuit: This can occur due to manufacturing defects, physical damage, or internal wear and tear.
Overheating: Excessive heat can cause the battery to swell, leading to internal damage and potential combustion.
Overcharging: Prolonged charging or using incompatible chargers can cause the battery to overheat and fail.
Physical damage: Dropping, puncturing, or crushing the battery can compromise its integrity and lead to smoke or fire.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly Emergencies and Incidents newsletter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
