Air Canada – Boeing 787-9 – Smoke in Cabin from Cell Phone

2018-05-02
C-FVLX, a Boeing 787-9 aircraft operated by Air Canada, was conducting flight ACA92 from
Toronto/Lester B. Pearson Intl, ON (CYYZ) to Santiago/Arturo Merino Benítez Intl, Chile (SCEL) with 11 crew members and 208 passengers on board. When the aircraft was cruising at FL390 approximately 245 nautical miles North of SCEL, a passenger in the forward section of the aircraft inadvertently drop a cellular phone down inside the seat mechanism. Despite guidance to passengers on how to address this type of situation, the seat was moved by the passenger which caused damage to phone. Smoke was then observed in the cabin, however there was no fire. The cabin crew was able to retrieve the device and placed it in a Portable Electronic Device Fire bag. The flight continued to destination without further incident. The seat area was inspected and no damage was found. The area was cleaned and the aircraft was returned to service.