American Airlines A321 Diverts Near Washington After Passenger Device Fire

An American Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N558UW, operating flight AA357 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Phoenix, Arizona, was forced to divert on August 23, 2025, after a passenger’s personal electronic device caught fire in the cabin. The aircraft, carrying 160 passengers and six crew members, had been climbing through 28,000 feet out of Philadelphia when the crew reported smoke and decided to divert to Washington Dulles International Airport.

The aircraft landed safely on runway 19C at Dulles approximately 20 minutes later. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident, stating that “American Airlines Flight 357 landed safely at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia around 11:50 a.m. local time after the crew reported a fire in one of the passenger rows.” The FAA added that it will investigate the case further.

According to American Airlines, the fire originated from a passenger device that emitted smoke mid-flight. Cabin crew quickly contained the incident, preventing further escalation. No injuries were reported, and the airline praised the swift actions of the flight attendants.

Following the diversion, the aircraft remained grounded at Dulles for roughly 21 hours before continuing its journey to Phoenix. The extended delay allowed maintenance crews to inspect the aircraft and ensure its safe return to service.

This event underscores ongoing concerns about the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and personal electronic devices on commercial flights. Airlines and regulators continue to emphasize strict guidelines for the use, storage, and charging of devices onboard to mitigate potential hazards.

The FAA’s investigation will focus on the cause of the device malfunction and whether additional safety measures may be required.


Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=American+Airlines, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, avherald.com