Power bank sparks panic on Istanbul-Seoul flight, forces emergency landing
Αn Asiana Airlines flight from Türkiye to South Korea was forced to return to Istanbul on Tuesday evening after a passenger reportedly dropped a power bank between the seats, prompting safety concerns.
Flight AAR552, a Boeing 777 en route from Istanbul to Seoul, was flying through Kazakh airspace when a passenger accidentally dropped the portable charger. After the cabin crew also failed to retrieve the device, the captain opted to return the aircraft to Istanbul as a precaution.
The plane landed safely at Istanbul Airport.
Power banks, which contain lithium-ion batteries, are banned from use during flights due to the risk of fire. Their potential to overheat or ignite—especially when damaged or short-circuited—has raised increasing concern among aviation authorities.
In a previous incident in South Korea, a power bank exploded aboard a plane carrying 170 passengers and six crew members, triggering a fire and further highlighting the risks associated with such devices.
Electronic items containing lithium batteries, including mobile phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, and power banks, are known to pose fire hazards if damaged or improperly handled.
