Apple iPhone combusts aboard an Australian flight

In a rather bizarre incident, an Apple iPhone spontaneously combusted aboard flight ZL319 upon landing, raising a few security concerns about the possible reasons behind the burn out. The crew on the flight stated that the phone started emitting a red glow upon landing, following which a flight attendant ‘extinguished’ the device. From the picture it looks to be an iPhone 4, rather than the new 4S.

Possible security concerns?

Here’s what the flight company, Regional Express had to say:

‘Regional Express (Rex) flight ZL319 operating from Lismore to Sydney today had an occurrence after landing, when a passenger’s mobile phone started emitting a significant amount of dense smoke accompanied by a red glow.

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In accordance with company standard safety procedures, the Flight Attendant carried out recovery actions immediately and the red glow was extinguished successfully.

All passengers and crew on board were unharmed.

The matter has been reported to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) as well as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for investigation and directions.

The mobile phone in question appears to be an Apple iPhone (see picture below) and has been handed over to ATSB for analysis.’

According to TNW, there are chances that the reason behind the combustion is the phone’s battery, which is located below the case on the right hand side of the device. We’re hoping this is just a one-off incident, and wouldn’t lead to severing down of the already stringent in-flight rules in the near future.