Incident Overview

In a startling turn of events, passengers aboard a Southwest Airlines flight were thrown into chaos when a passenger's cell phone battery ignited while the aircraft was parked at Denver International Airport. The fire quickly spread to an airplane seat, prompting an urgent evacuation of all 108 travelers on board.

Flight Details

The Boeing 737-700 was preparing for takeoff to Houston when the incident occurred on Friday. Passengers in the rear of the plane utilized the emergency slides, while those seated at the front exited through the jet bridge, as reported by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Southwest Airlines.

Response and Evacuation

Fortunately, report indicates that crew members acted swiftly to extinguish the flames. However, during the hasty evacuation, one passenger sustained a minor injury, and the individual whose phone ignited is receiving treatment for burns.

Airline's Statement

"[Southwest's customer care team] is working to accommodate the passengers on another aircraft to their original destination of Houston," a spokesperson from the airline stated. "Safety is our top priority, and we are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation."

Delayed Arrival

After a significant delay, the flight eventually reached William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, arriving over three hours late, as indicated by FlightAware tracking data.

FAA Investigation

The FAA has launched an investigation into this alarming incident, which raises questions about the safety of portable electronic devices during flights. Could this incident lead to stricter regulations on cell phone batteries in the aviation industry?

Conclusion

As technology continues to evolve, airlines may need to rethink their policies regarding electronic devices. After all, an incident of this magnitude could have been catastrophic if not handled swiftly. Stay alert, travelers! Your safety may depend on it!