Description

On 1 October 2020, a Boeing 787-9 (G-ZBKF) being operated by British Airways on a scheduled international passenger flight from Miami to London Heathrow was level at FL 420 and approaching the top of descent when cabin crew removing bedding found that a mobile phone which had been crushed in the lie-flat seat when it was returned to the seated position and was on fire. The fire was extinguished and the device was left in situ with a member of cabin crew and an extinguisher positioned nearby in case of re-ignition. This did not occur and the remains of the device were removed by RFFS personnel after landing. 

Investigation

A Field Investigation was carried by the UK AAIB. 

Approximately 40 minutes prior to landing, the flight crew made a PA which woke one of the passengers who was asleep on a First Class flat bed seat. This passenger subsequently returned their seat to a more upright position before going to the washroom.  Having checked if she could stow the bedding whilst the passenger was away from her seat, one of the cabin crew did so and on detecting a strong “sulphur-like” smell noticed a mobile device charging cable running from the seat socket and disappearing down the side of the seat. The smell was getting stronger so she called the SCCM and they subsequently both heard a “hissing” sound and a large plume of grey smoke appeared from the seat in a “tornado” motion and an orange glow became visible in the seat area amongst the smoke. The seat power was switched off and the SCCM donned fire gloves and, after pulling back the seat padding and exposing a device trapped in the seat mechanism, discharged several bursts of BCF towards the device.