A lost laptop triggered a transatlantic U-Turn then a diversion to Newark for an United flight.
NEWARK, NJ — A United Airlines flight bound for Switzerland was forced to divert to Newark Liberty International Airport under unusual circumstances this weekend after a passenger’s laptop slipped into a gap in the cabin wall and tumbled into the aircraft’s cargo hold.
An Unlikely Path to the Cargo Hold
United Airlines Flight UA748, a Boeing 767-300 (registration N668UA), had departed Washington Dulles (IAD) and was cruising at 33,000 feet (FL330) approximately 60 nautical miles east of Portland, Maine.
The transatlantic journey took an unexpected turn when a passenger reported that their laptop had fallen into a gap between the cabin sidewall and the floor. Investigations by the crew determined the device had slipped through an opening and dropped directly into the aircraft’s lower cargo compartment.
The Risk of Lithium-Ion Batteries
While a lost laptop might seem like a minor inconvenience, it poses a significant safety risk in aviation. Because the device contained a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery, it could not be left unsecured or inaccessible in the cargo hold. If a damaged battery were to undergo “thermal runaway” in an unmonitored area, it could lead to a fire that the crew would be unable to reach or verify.
Out of an abundance of caution, the crew elected to abandon the crossing to Geneva (GVA) and diverted to Newark (EWR), touching down safely approximately 85 minutes after the decision was made.
Resolution and Recovery
Once on the ground in Newark, maintenance teams were able to access the cargo hold and retrieve the device. Technicians confirmed the laptop and its battery remained intact and undamaged.
The aircraft spent roughly three hours on the ground in Newark before taking off once more for Europe.
Arrival in Geneva
Despite the nearly 800-mile detour, the Boeing 767 reached Geneva with a total delay of approximately 4.5 hours. Passengers, while delayed, were reportedly relieved that the potential fire hazard was resolved before the aircraft headed out over the Atlantic.
