Samsung Note 2 catches fire onboard Indigo Singapore-Chennai flight

In a shocking incident, a Samsung Note 2 smartphone caught fire soon after emitting smoke onboard a Singapore-Chennai flight of IndiGo. The incident took place on Friday morning when the plane was making landing at the airport.

"The crew noticed smoke from the bin and found the device was emitting smoke after possibly catching fire. They used fire extinguishers on it," said a spokesperson of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

"We advise flyers to exercise caution while flying with Samsung Note devices. They should either keep these devices switched off or not travel with them," said a DGCA spokesman.

An IndiGo statement said: "IndiGo confirms that a few passengers travelling on 6E-054 flight from Singapore to Chennai noticed the smoke smell in the cabin this morning (September 23, 2016) and immediately alerted the cabin crew on board. The crew quickly identified minor smoke coming from the hat-rack of seat 23 C and simultaneously informed the pilot-in-command who further alerted the ATC of the situation on board."

It added: "Taking precautionary measure, the cabin crew on priority relocated all passengers on other seats, and further observed smoke being emitted from a Samsung note 2 which was placed in the baggage (of a passenger) in the overhead bin. The crew discharged the fire extinguisher which is as per the standard operating procedures prescribed by the aircraft manufacturer, and quickly transferred the Samsung note 2 into a container filled with water in lavatory."

All the passengers were deplaned after the aircraft made a normal landing at the airport. The concerned departments will further examine the cellphone. 

"We are thankful to passengers for their vigilance and cooperation extended to the crew on board," the Indigo said. Samsung officials have been summoned on Monday by the DGCA, which has asked Indigo to hand over the smartphone for a probe.