Flight had to land immediately because laptop got stuck in seat

Sunday's flight from Zurich, Switzerland to Chicago, US was diverted to Shannon, Ireland. Data from Flightradar24 shows that the Boeing 767 flew more than 800km over the Atlantic Ocean when it turned around, according to Business Insider.

After the plane landed, several airport workers were able to retrieve the laptop from the seat - but the crew had reached its maximum time and could not continue the 157 passengers to Chicago.

United Airlines flight diverted

In a statement shared with Business Insider, a United spokesperson said the flight was diverted to "address a potential safety risk due to the laptop being stuck in an inaccessible location."

United has provided hotels for passengers and arranged a connecting flight to Chicago on Monday, the official added.

The Boeing 767 took off from Shannon more than 24 hours after landing, according to Flightradar24.

Laptops or phones strapped to a seat are unusual, and airline safety videos often warn passengers about them. They can pose a safety risk because lithium batteries can catch fire—the same reason travelers are asked to pack such devices in carry-on luggage rather than checked luggage.

Continuing the flight across the Atlantic could be risky because if the laptop caught fire there would be no convenient airport to land at.

Laptop fires on planes are not uncommon.

In March, a Breeze Airways flight from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger's laptop caught fire, filling the cabin with smoke.

Last year, at least four people were injured when a laptop battery caught fire in the passenger cabin of United Airlines Flight 2664 Boeing 737. The fire was extinguished and the injured were hospitalized.

The plane was scheduled to arrive at Liberty International Airport (Newark, New Jersey), but due to an emergency, it had to return to San Diego International Airport shortly after takeoff.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chuyen-bay-phai-ha-canh-ngay-vi-may-tinh-xach-tay-ket-tren-ghe-185240521103038715.htm