A United Airlines flight bound for Rome was forced to return to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) after a passenger’s laptop fell into the cargo hold. The incident occurred on October 15, 2025, during Flight UA126, a Boeing 767-400ER, shortly after takeoff. Due to the presence of a lithium-ion battery in the laptop, the situation was deemed a credible safety threat, prompting the pilots to prioritize the safety of all on board.
The aircraft, which had taken off at 22:20 local time, made a U-turn off the coast of Boston less than an hour into its journey. According to data from Flightradar24, the decision to return was made following the discovery that the laptop had slipped down a sidewall and into an inaccessible area of the cargo bay. Air Traffic Control (ATC) recordings reveal that the laptop was not only out of the crew’s reach, but also located away from the aircraft’s fire suppression systems, raising further concerns.
In a communication with ATC, one of the pilots stated, “A passenger on the airplane had a laptop that they dropped somewhere, and it’s now missing somewhere inside the airplane, and we need to recover it before we can go across the pond.” The laptop was reportedly switched on at the time of its fall, which meant it could have had several hours of battery life remaining, amplifying the potential risk.
After landing back at IAD at 00:35 local time, more than two hours after departure, the crew located the laptop and prepared the aircraft for a replacement flight. This second journey departed at 03:25 and safely reached Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) at 17:26, resulting in a total delay of over five hours for passengers.
The unusual nature of this incident drew attention, with ATC personnel commenting that they had “never heard anything like that before.” While such occurrences are rare, they are not entirely unprecedented. Last summer, another United 767 diverted to Shannon, Ireland, after a passenger accidentally wedged their laptop into a seat. That incident led to the cancellation of the flight due to crew timing out.
Concerns related to lithium-ion batteries are well-founded, as these power sources, commonly found in laptops and smartphones, can pose significant risks in aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has noted an increase in lithium battery incidents, recording over 50 such cases in the United States in just 2023. In light of these risks, the aviation industry has implemented specific safety protocols, including restrictions on carrying lithium batteries in checked luggage.
In this incident, the pilots opted against declaring an emergency, instead choosing to return out of an abundance of caution. Lithium batteries have previously caused multiple aviation emergencies, including a recent incident on an Air China flight where a battery ignited in a passenger’s bag. Fortunately, cabin crew managed to contain the fire, and the flight landed without injuries.
This latest situation serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures surrounding lithium-ion batteries on flights. United Airlines and other carriers continue to emphasize the need for vigilance regarding passenger belongings, ensuring that safety remains the top priority in all situations.
