British Airways

Mobile phone crushed in seat mechanism on British Airways flight to London Heathrow

Share

On 1 October 2020, a British Airways Boeing 787-9 (registered G-ZBKF) operated a regular flight to London Heathrow, United Kingdom. The aircraft was approaching the top of descent when the cabin crew saw smoke emanating from a passenger seat. It was discovered that a mobile phone had fallen down the side of the seat and had been crushed in the seat mechanism.

The cabin crew extinguished the fire and the aircraft continued to its destination. There was no damage to the aircraft.

“There have been several reports of similar events occurring leading to smoke in the cabin. There are currently no seat design requirements to prevent electronic devices from becoming trapped in seats,” British Air Accidents Investigation Branch writes, adding that: “manufacturers and regulators are aware of this issue but it has proven challenging to find a workable solution. The EASA and the SAE International Seat Committee have taken safety action to develop new design standards and recommended practices. A safety recommendation is made to the CAA to improve seat design regulations.”

Full report: AAIB investigation to Boeing 787-9, G-ZBKF

This post was published on 20 April 2021 10:27

Bart Noëth

Working for 25 years in the aviation industry, I changed my career and became a firefighter/EMT in 2021. I like to spend my free time with my two sons, girlfriend, family and friends. I love to travel, wine and dine and support my favourite football squad KV Mechelen. Once an Ironman 70.3 finisher and dreaming of completing a full distance.

Published by
Bart Noëth

Recent Posts

Romanian airline Dan Air files for insolvency amid €10 million environmental debt

Romanian carrier seeks protection from creditors as total liabilities reach €25.4 million; flight operations face…

23 October 2026

Jetstar bans passenger after he inflates life jacket during safety demonstration

Jetstar and Qantas have banned an Australian social media personality from flying with their airlines…

23 October 2026

Flemish Government suspends new Brussels Airport flight plan over noise concerns

The Flemish Government has invoked a conflict of interest against the proposed changes to flight…

23 October 2026

Brussels Airport to expand border controls as EES delays persist, government registration kiosks remain offline

Brussels Airport will add eight manual border-control positions for arriving passengers by the end of…

23 October 2026

Typhoon Champi forces cancellation of more than 600 flights in Taiwan

Typhoon Champi has disrupted air travel across Taiwan, forcing the cancellation of more than 600…

23 October 2026

Copenhagen Airport faces major security queues after new screening requirements

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is experiencing major queues at security screening after new requirements introduced by…

23 October 2026