Additional Coverage:
A passenger’s electronic device caught fire mid-flight Saturday, forcing an American Airlines plane headed to Phoenix to make an unscheduled landing at Washington Dulles International Airport.
American Airlines Flight 357, originating from Philadelphia, landed safely at Dulles around 11:50 a.m. after crew members swiftly contained the smoking device. The 160 passengers and six crew members onboard were met by emergency personnel on the runway.
One passenger, 22-year-old Adriana Novello, recounted being startled awake by a flight attendant retrieving a fire extinguisher. Ms. Novello reported seeing something on fire in the aisle and noted that several passengers began coughing due to the smoke.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident and the type of device involved has not yet been disclosed.