A flight attendant has shared a cautionary tale about the potential risks of retrieving a dropped phone between aircraft seats. Accidentally losing your phone during a flight is common, whether due to adjusting position, using the bathroom, or searching in your bag under the seat. However, experts warn against immediately picking it up as it could pose dangers.
When a smartphone slips between seats on a plane, it may become lodged in the seat’s mechanical parts, as noted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). If the seat is moved while the phone is stuck, it risks being crushed or damaged. Apart from inconvenience, damaged phones also carry the risk of overheating their lithium batteries, potentially leading to a fire hazard.
To avoid such risks, passengers are advised to notify cabin crew promptly if their phone falls between seats. Flight attendants are trained to handle such situations safely, aware of the aircraft’s seating layout. Seeking assistance from them reduces the risk of damage or safety concerns.
John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems and a former pilot, highlighted that damaged electronics, like dropped phones, are more prone to thermal events. Cabin crew awareness is crucial in case a dropped device starts to overheat or emit smoke, allowing them to implement necessary fire safety measures for all passengers’ well-being.
Reports of devices catching fire during flights have raised concerns about fire safety. Incidents such as a phone igniting a seat during a Denver to Houston flight and a smoldering phone prompting an emergency landing in Honolulu to Tokyo underscore the importance of handling electronic devices cautiously.
Due to fire safety concerns, several airlines have banned power banks on flights. Additionally, some airlines like EVA Air, UNI Air, and Tigerair have now restricted Bluetooth earbuds, including Apple AirPods, from checked baggage due to similar safety worries.
American Airlines was approached for further comments on the matter.