Risk on a transatlantic flight Laptop falls out of the cabin into the cargo hold - plane turns back
Curious flight incident in the USA: Shortly after take-off, a passenger plane had to turn back because a passenger's laptop had fallen into the cargo hold. The crew did not want to take any risks.
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- A Boeing 767 on its way from Washington D.C. to Rome had to turn back shortly after take-off.
- A passenger had reported that his laptop had somehow found its way from the cabin into the aircraft's cargo hold.
- Because the device was inaccessible during the flight and the battery was potentially dangerous, the crew did not want to take any risks before the Atlantic crossing.
It sometimes happens that an aircraft has to turn back shortly after take-off. Rarely, however, for the reason that recently forced a passenger plane on its way from Washington D.C. to Rome to return to the airport of departure. In this curious incident, which took place in mid-October, a laptop ended up in the cargo hold of the Boeing 767 for some unknown reason.
According to media reports, the United Airlines plane was on its way from Washington Dulles International Airport to Rome-Fiumicino Airport. About 50 minutes into the flight, a passenger noticed that his laptop was missing and informed the crew. The device had apparently been placed against the cabin wall and fallen through a gap in the paneling into the cargo hold below.
Taking no chances
Due to the built-in lithium-ion battery, which can ignite if damaged or overheated, the laptop was considered a potential source of danger. It had been switched on at the time of loss and was possibly stuck near cables. This was a risk they did not want to take.
The cockpit reported by radio to air traffic control that they had no access to the laptop and could not see it. The area in question was also outside the range of fire extinguishing systems. The radio communication, which was later published online, also illustrates the astonished reaction of colleagues on the ground: "I've never heard anything like this before. A good story to tell in the pilot's lounge".
The plane turned around and landed back at the airport of departure at around 00:35 local time. The laptop was recovered, after which the aircraft was refueled and prepared for a replacement flight. The second departure took place at around 3.25 a.m., delaying the arrival in Rome by around five hours.
