How an iPad malfunction caused a Lufthansa airlines to divert an Airbus A380 full of over 450 passengers

A Lufthansa Airbus A380 carrying 461 passengers was forced to make an emergency diversion to Boston after a passenger's iPad became jammed in a business class seat and showed signs of overheating. The flight, which departed from Los Angeles on Wednesday bound for Munich, had been airborne for approximately three hours when the decision to divert was made.
According to a statement from the airline to Business Insider, the tablet had "already shown visible signs of deformation due to the seat's movements" by the time of the diversion. The decision was made jointly by the flight crew and air traffic control as a precautionary measure to prevent any potential safety hazards.
"To eliminate any potential risk, particularly with regard to possible overheating," was the primary concern, the airline spokesperson explained. The incident highlights the known dangers of damaged lithium batteries, which can trigger a chain reaction called thermal runaway, potentially leading to fires or explosions—especially hazardous in the confined space of an aircraft cabin.
Upon landing at Boston Logan International Airport, a Lufthansa Technik team boarded the aircraft to safely remove and inspect the damaged device. After ensuring there was no further risk, the flight was cleared to continue its journey to Munich, ultimately arriving with a three-hour delay.
"At Lufthansa, the safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority. The diversion was a purely precautionary measure," the airline emphasized in their statement.
This is not the first incident of electronic devices causing in-flight emergencies. Last year, a Breeze Airways flight from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh made an emergency landing in Albuquerque after a passenger's laptop caught fire.
Airlines have implemented strict guidelines regarding electronic devices, with many prohibiting passengers from charging power banks in-flight or placing them in overhead compartments.