Hawaiian Airlines Passengers Report Crew Unprepared for Burning Battery Incident

Passengers aboard Hawaiian Airlines Flight 26 from Hawaii to Portland were alarmed on September 21 when an iPad began emitting smoke during the final descent. Michael and Casey Rebstock, seated in first class, noticed smoke billowing from under Michael’s seat due to a burning electronic device. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later confirmed that a lithium-ion battery in the device caused the smoke, a growing concern in recent incidents involving such batteries.

Michael Rebstock, an electrical engineer, said the iPad—possibly left by a previous passenger—became crushed under the seat, igniting the battery. The situation worsened as flight attendants struggled to locate a fire extinguisher. Another passenger eventually removed the smoking device using metal tongs provided by the crew.

Although the airline crew eventually used a fireproof bag to contain the smoldering iPad, passengers criticized the apparent lack of preparedness. Hawaiian Airlines issued an apology, stating that crew members are trained to handle battery fires and are equipped with fireproof containment bags. However, passengers reported that suggestions from other travelers helped alleviate the smoke-filled cabin more effectively than the crew’s actions.

Both Michael and Casey experienced lingering symptoms such as headaches and nausea from inhaling the smoke, a common effect of exposure to the harmful chemicals released by burning lithium-ion batteries. While the situation was contained before landing, Michael expressed concern about what could have happened had the fire occurred earlier in the flight.