On Mar 25th 2026, a Mesa Airlines Embraer ERJ-175 operating on behalf of United Airlines as flight UA-6110 from Lubbock to George Bush Intercontinental Airport was forced to divert after a passenger’s battery began emitting smoke mid-flight.
The aircraft, registered N85354, was cruising at FL310 approximately 130 nautical miles northwest of San Antonio when the situation developed. Cabin crew quickly identified the source of the smoke and acted promptly, securing the overheating device inside a specialized containment bag designed to handle lithium battery incidents.
Given the potential risk posed by battery fires, the flight crew elected to divert to San Antonio as a precautionary measure.
The aircraft descended and landed safely on runway 13R about 25 minutes later, with no injuries reported among passengers or crew.
Following the landing, the aircraft remained on the ground for approximately 11 hours to allow for inspections and ensure the situation was fully resolved. The flight later resumed and continued to Houston, arriving with a delay of about 11 hours.
The incident highlights the ongoing safety challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries in aviation, where even small personal electronic devices can present significant hazards if they malfunction during flight.