Source: Simon Hradecky | www.avherald.com

A China Eastern Airlines Airbus A320-200N, registration B-6892 performing flight MU-2809 from Nanjing to Xiamen (China), was enroute at at 7200 meters (FL236) about 170nm south of Nanjing when an open fire in the cabin caused by personal electronic device by a passenger prompted the crew to return to Nanjing. Cabin crew quickly extinguished the fire and secured the device. The aircraft returned to Nanjing for a safe landing about 65 minutes after departure.

A replacement A320-200N registration B-306F reached Xiamen with a delay of about 4 hours.

The airline reported a passengers Lithium-Ion battery pack self ignited in the cabin, cabin crew quickly extinguished the fire and secured the device, the flight crew decided to return to Nanjing as a precaution.

Airport security reported that after landing back the device was re-inspected and determined to have been a battery pack of 40.7Wh, which is in line with all regulations (that require such battery packs to be below 100Wh). Airport security reminds travellers, that such devices must not be checked in but may be carried as hand luggage into the cabin as long as the markings and the outer case is intact.