Business · India Bureau
Power bank fire forces IndiGo flight diversion; DGCA tightens device rules
An IndiGo flight travelling from Delhi to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad after a passenger's power bank ignited in an overhead compartment, reigniting focus on aviation safety regulations for portable electronic devices.
LSN India ·
Flight 6E 6115 was forced to land in Hyderabad on Wednesday after a lithium-ion power bank caught fire while stored in the overhead bin. The aircraft, carrying passengers and crew, descended safely without reported injuries. The incident has prompted renewed attention to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines governing the carriage of portable chargers and electronic devices aboard commercial flights.
Under current DGCA regulations, passengers are permitted to carry power banks and portable chargers in carry-on baggage only, not in checked luggage. The devices must be kept in hand baggage where they remain visible and accessible, allowing crew members to respond immediately in case of thermal runaway or fire. Lithium-ion batteries, which power most modern portable chargers, pose a particular fire risk if damaged or defective, as they can self-ignite spontaneously.
The DGCA stipulates that power banks must not exceed 100 watt-hours in capacity when carried aboard aircraft. Devices exceeding this threshold require special approval and documentation. Additionally, spare batteries and power banks should be packed individually and protected from short circuits by covering terminal points.
IndiGo stated that standard safety protocols were followed during the emergency descent. The airline has recommended passengers review baggage policies and ensure all electronic devices are in proper working condition before travel. Aviation safety officials continue to investigate the specific circumstances that led to the power bank malfunction.