We’ve all experienced that moment of panic when our phone slips and falls down the side of an airplane seat. But did you know there’s a terrifyingly good reason why you need to tell a flight attendant right away? It’s not just about losing your phone—it could be about preventing a serious safety hazard.

The Real Risk: Lithium Batteries and Fires

When you drop your phone on an airplane, the immediate thought is to retrieve it as quickly as possible. However, airlines strongly advise passengers not to try and get it yourself. That’s because of a very dangerous issue that could arise from a seemingly small mistake.

Smartphones and many other devices run on lithium-ion batteries, which, while powerful and efficient, can be incredibly dangerous if damaged. In fact, these tiny batteries can spark a fire or even explode if they are crushed or overheated. And believe it or not, this has happened before.

The 2018 Incident: A Phone That Started Smoking

In 2018, a Qantas flight heading to Melbourne, Australia, was faced with a terrifying situation when a man’s phone started smoking mid-flight. The phone had slipped down the side of his seat, and when he attempted to retrieve it, he unknowingly crushed the device as he moved the seat. This caused the phone’s lithium battery to heat up and begin emitting smoke.

Thankfully, the flight crew quickly responded and were able to contain the situation before it escalated further. But this event serves as a stark reminder of how dangerous it can be to mishandle electronic devices while flying.

Why You Should Always Alert the Cabin Crew

After the 2018 incident, aviation authorities began issuing clear warnings to passengers about the dangers of losing their phones down the side of a seat. According to Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority, if a phone slips into the seat mechanism, moving the seat could crush the device, damaging its battery and potentially causing a fire.

That’s why it’s crucial to inform the cabin crew immediately if your phone falls into the seat gap. The flight attendants are trained to handle these situations and can prevent any further risk by safely retrieving the device for you. They can also check if the phone has been damaged and alert the necessary authorities if needed.

The Dangers of Phones in the Cabin and Cargo Hold

It’s not just dropping a phone that poses a risk—it’s where your phone is during the flight that matters too. In fact, there have been several other incidents where devices, like cellphones and even power banks, have caused fires in the cabin.

For instance, in August 2021, a cellphone caught fire on an Alaska Airlines flight, forcing passengers and crew to evacuate. And in 2018, two separate incidents occurred where a passenger’s bag caught fire on a China Southern flight due to a device overheating. In one case, a phone battery exploded just before takeoff, leading to an emergency evacuation via inflatable slides.

Even though these incidents were handled quickly, they highlight the importance of being cautious with devices on an airplane.

The Risks in the Cargo Hold

Interestingly, there’s also a significant danger when electronic devices are stored in the airplane’s cargo hold. While it might seem safer to store your phone in checked luggage, pilot Patrick Smith warns that this could actually be more dangerous.

“If a fire were to start in the lower hold, the crew wouldn’t have a clear understanding of what’s happening or how fast it’s spreading,” Smith explains. Though cargo holds are equipped with fire suppressant systems, they aren’t always effective at containing the spread of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

The Bottom Line: Be Cautious With Your Devices

While it’s tempting to reach for your phone when it slips between the seats, the best course of action is to stay calm and immediately alert a flight attendant. They are trained to handle such situations, ensuring that a small issue doesn’t turn into a big, potentially dangerous one.

And remember, it’s not just phones that can cause problems—power banks and other electronic devices pose similar risks. So, next time you’re on a plane, keep an eye on your devices and always err on the side of caution. It could make all the difference.