Chennai bound IndiGo flight diverted to Hyderabad after ablaze onboard: How power banks catch fire on plane?

The Delhi-to-Chennai IndiGo flight was diverted because smoke was detected inside the aircraft. Reports identified the source as a passenger’s personal electronic device in an overhead bin, specifically a power bank that caught fire. Smoke in an enclosed aircraft cabin creates an immediate safety concern.

Flight 6E 6115 was flying to Chennai on October 11, 2026, when the problem emerged. Passengers were seen using bags to help put out the fire. The cabin crew responded promptly, and the pilots diverted the aircraft to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, where it landed safely.

The diversion followed established safety protocols. IndiGo said the situation was brought under control and apologised for the inconvenience. The airline provided refreshments and timely updates while making efforts to support passengers. The incident also highlights why unusual heat, burning smells, hissing, or smoke from a battery should be reported immediately to cabin crew.

The flight carried about 180 passengers and seven crew members. Together, they made up the people onboard when smoke was detected. The figure shows the scale of the emergency and why the pilots and cabin crew had to respond quickly.

The aircraft was operating as IndiGo flight 6E 6115 from Delhi to Chennai on October 11, 2026. When a power bank reportedly caught fire in an overhead bin, passengers tried to help put out the flames using bags. The cabin crew also responded, and the pilots diverted the aircraft to Hyderabad.

The flight landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. IndiGo said customer and crew safety remained its top priority. The airline also offered refreshments and shared updates after the diversion. Although the source reports no injuries, the number of people onboard explains why smoke from a battery was treated as a serious in-flight situation.

A power bank is a portable electronic device that stores electrical energy and can supply power to another device. The article explains that power banks are typically built around rechargeable lithium-based batteries. These batteries make the device useful for carrying backup power while travelling.

The incident involved a power bank kept in an overhead bin on IndiGo flight 6E 6115. Reports said it caught fire and produced smoke, leading to the flight’s diversion to Hyderabad. Lithium-ion batteries can overheat or suffer an internal failure, creating intense heat, toxic smoke, and flames.

Because these batteries can create a serious fire risk, airlines restrict how power banks are transported. The article specifically states that power banks are prohibited in checked luggage. Travellers are also advised to avoid swollen, damaged, or recalled power banks and to alert cabin crew immediately if a battery becomes unusually hot, smells like it is burning, hisses, or smokes.

A damaged or overheated lithium-ion battery can develop an internal failure. According to the article, that failure may trigger a chain reaction. The battery then generates intense heat, releases toxic smoke, and produces flames. This is why a small power bank can become a serious aircraft safety problem.

The reported IndiGo incident shows the mechanism in action. A power bank in an overhead bin caught fire, and smoke spread into the cabin. Passengers were seen trying to put out the fire with bags, while the cabin crew responded. The pilots diverted the flight to Hyderabad as a precaution.

The risk is greater in an enclosed aircraft because smoke, limited space, and difficult access to emergency equipment make the situation challenging. The article advises avoiding swollen, damaged, or recalled power banks. Any unusual heat, burning smell, hissing, or smoke should be reported to cabin crew immediately, rather than handled personally.

Putting out visible flames does not always remove the danger from a burning power bank. The article explains that a lithium-ion battery can keep a dangerously high internal temperature after the flames appear to be extinguished. If that heat remains, the battery may catch fire again.

This risk comes from the battery’s internal failure and chain reaction. A damaged or overheated cell can generate intense heat, toxic smoke, and flames. During the IndiGo incident, passengers were seen using bags to help put out the fire, but the pilots still diverted the flight and landed safely in Hyderabad.

An aircraft cabin makes continued battery danger more concerning. Smoke and limited space can affect many people, while emergency equipment may be difficult to access. The article advises passengers never to handle a smoking battery themselves. They should alert cabin crew immediately so trained staff can respond and follow established safety protocols.

Power banks are prohibited in checked luggage because lithium-ion batteries can overheat, fail internally, and produce flames and toxic smoke. In the cabin, passengers and crew can notice warning signs and respond more quickly. The article directly states the checked-luggage prohibition; keeping power banks in the cabin reflects established aviation safety guidance.

The Delhi-to-Chennai IndiGo flight illustrates why location matters. A power bank in an overhead bin reportedly caught fire, and smoke was detected. Passengers tried to put out the fire with bags, cabin crew responded, and the pilots diverted to Hyderabad. The incident was controlled, and the aircraft landed safely.

Cabin transport does not make a damaged battery safe. The article warns that batteries can reignite if internal heat remains high. Travellers should avoid swollen, damaged, or recalled power banks. They should report unusual heat, burning smells, hissing, or smoke immediately and never handle a smoking battery themselves.

Warning signs show that a rechargeable battery may be overheating, damaged, or experiencing an internal failure. The article lists swelling, unusual heat, a burning smell, hissing, and smoke as signals that should not be ignored. These signs matter because lithium-based batteries can produce intense heat, toxic smoke, and flames.

A power bank on IndiGo flight 6E 6115 reportedly caught fire after being stored in an overhead bin. Smoke was detected, passengers tried to put out the fire with bags, and cabin crew responded promptly. The pilots then diverted the aircraft to Hyderabad, where it landed safely.

The article advises avoiding swollen, damaged, or recalled power banks before travelling. If any warning sign appears, the passenger should alert cabin crew immediately. They should never attempt to handle a smoking battery themselves. Quick reporting gives the crew a chance to respond under established safety protocols before the problem becomes more serious.