A flight from Gatwick Airport bound for Porto was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff due to a fire that broke out onboard. The crew of TAP Air Portugal TP1329 declared a general emergency after detecting a strong burning smell and observing smoke coming from an overhead luggage compartment.
Passengers disembarked at Gatwick Airport, where emergency responders conducted a technical assessment of the aircraft. Portuguese aviation investigators later determined that the fire originated from an e-cigarette.
According to the Lisbon-based Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail, the cabin crew noticed the burning smell during the initial climb and promptly extinguished the fire caused by a piece of hand luggage. The flight returned to Gatwick for inspection, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew before proceeding to Porto.
Investigators shared a photo of the charred luggage holding the e-cigarette, emphasizing the potential disaster averted by the crew’s quick actions. The incident occurred on February 8, with the Portuguese investigation results recently revealed. The Airbus A320, capable of carrying up to 180 passengers, eventually reached Porto safely, albeit with a delay.
