A malfunctioning vape device sparked a fire inside the cabin of Virgin Australia flight VA328 from Brisbane to Melbourne as the plane prepared to land Sunday afternoon, forcing crew to take swift action to contain the hazard.
Cabin crew performed a missed approach, giving themselves critical time to safely contain the device in a fire-proof bag. Their swift action prevented the situation from escalating and ensured the safety of all passengers on board. The incident triggered a PAN call, an official aviation emergency alert indicating a serious situation at a lower level of urgency than a mayday call.
Melbourne Airport confirmed that the aircraft landed safely at approximately 4:45 pm, where emergency crews were waiting on the tarmac. No injuries were reported, and all passengers disembarked safely. More than 17 emergency vehicles, including fire trucks, ambulances, and airport response units, were deployed in what has been described as one of the largest precautionary responses in recent memory.
Under Virgin Australia's dangerous goods policy, vapes must be carried in carry-on baggage only and must be prevented from being accidentally turned on. Passengers cannot use smoking devices or recharge them on board the aircraft.
The incident highlights the established risks posed by lithium batteries contained in vaping devices. Vaping devices must be protected to avoid accidental activation, and all use or charging is banned onboard aircraft for all airlines because the battery creates a potential risk of fire. In Australia, all vapes and vaping products, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not, can only be sold in a pharmacy as of 1 July 2024.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) maintains strict protocols for battery-powered devices on aircraft. Devices should be kept in carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage due to the risk of battery-related fires, a safety measure the Australian Transport Safety Bureau emphasises to prevent potential incidents during flights.