Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Time Pressure; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
During the boarding process of Aircraft X at Gate; a passenger in her assigned seat was holding her carry-on bag on her lap. The carry-on had a vape charger inside the bag and the batteries started to smoke and meltdown. There was smoke and fumes in the cabin. An unknown passenger ran towards the front of the aircraft yelling that there was a fire in the back of the aircraft and for everyone to get off. The flight attendants made an announcement and commenced the Emergency Deplaning at the Gate procedure (which we had discussed in my pre-bridging brief to the FA's (Flight Attendants)). The Purser asked what to do and I told him to continue the process they had started; which was going very well with passengers calmly deplaning up the jet way. The First Officer alerted emergency response and got up from his seat to assist. I was then told by an unknown person; that the smoking bag had been removed from the aircraft by a dead-heading pilot. I ran the Emergency Evacuation checklist to secure the aircraft; grabbed the fire extinguisher (not needed) and stood at the door directing the passengers to continue up the jetway; 'do not take bags or stand in the jetway; and to proceed to the terminal.' I directed the First Officer to go to terminal. There were a few passengers slowing the process trying to grab their carry-on bag; but were directed to stop and continue to the terminal. Once all passengers were off; I directed the FA's to go to the terminal while I swept the aircraft to be sure all crew and passengers were off. I then proceeded to the terminal. At the terminal I found the crew and deadheading crew members at the door; several passengers and agents and the smoking bag lying on the floor next to the ticket counter. I then directed all persons to leave the area; and requested Law enforcement with/dogs and fire and rescue to the bag. Asked the gate agent to call medical assistance and found the affected passenger sitting in the terminal; which I directed Medical to her location. At that point I was alarmed that the threat had followed us to the terminal and was concerned as to its contents. I then briefed fire and rescue; Maintenance as well as corporate security and law enforcement. I directed the deadheading crewmember who had carried the bag to seek medical attention. We coordinated for the FA's to stay nearby to facilitate the eventual allowing of 5 passengers at a time to go back to the secured aircraft to get their belongings. The First Officer was having chest pain and went to the hospital. I declined medical treatment. And met the ZZZ Chief Pilot who assisted me in the process remaining. There were burns on the owner of the smoking bag; and she also went to the hospital. There were no other injuries or incidents associated with the emergency deplaning procedure...but there was some uncertainty among the many constituents affected by the procedure; gate; ground; maintenance. etc. I was relieved from duty with 'p' for the remaining duration of the trip. I received follow up calls from ZZZ Chief Pilot on multiple occasions and was grateful for his support. I also contacted directly Union Safety and spoke with [Representative] who provided assistance and guidance during and after the event. Overall the procedure works; but should be expanded to a joint training scenario. I was most alarmed to learn. That the (brave) deadheading crew member had carried the smoking bag with him during the deplaning and it eventually ended up in the terminal with no oversight. The direction was to deplane away from the threat; not take it with us.The cause was allowing of the charging device and vape apparatus onboard the aircraft as a carry-on. The positive outcome was due to emergency deplaning at the gate procedure and pre-briefing. Well trained and professional back-end crew was outstanding. First Officer reverted to training and promptly called fire and rescue. However once passengers were off; there was confusion and potential danger which needs to be mitigated for future events. Communcication and full understanding and procedures associated are necessary.I suggest the need to continue the use of and to training of the 'Emergency Deplaning at the Gate Procedure'. Would recommend suggested briefings for the crew. Also believe joint training would be very beneficial to role play these scenarios...there is a lot going on and many potential pitfalls. This affects all constituents of the normal process; but also many others. Being released from duty by the Chief Pilot was appreciated; however as a reserve pilot; working to get my time for the month; Pay - No Credit does not help in any way. In fact it prevented me from flying another 4 day trip I could have held; and subsequently puts me at zero(0) hours going into the middle of the month.
It was the first leg of the start of the sequence. I had just met the CA (Captain); for the first time; that afternoon. Along with the first time working with the FA's (Flight Attendants). Boarding started as normal; the CA and myself went about our preflight duties. We had finished all our checklists and were just waiting for the Gate Agent to inform us of boarding being complete. As we sat waiting to close up FA-1 shouts up to us 'We have a fire in the cabin'. In the time that it took the CA and I to get over the initial shock factor; the FA's immediately began an 'Emergency Deplaning' of the aircraft. From my advantage point I had no clue how bad the fire was in the cabin. I did not hear any call for an 'Evacuation'; or see any doors and slides deploying; so I assumed that the FA's were just doing the 'Emergency Deplaning'.The CA went to the QRH immediately. I got on the radio to ops and told them of our situation. That we had a fire onboard the aircraft; we were 'Emergency Deplaning' into the terminal; and we needed ARF (Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting).The CA and I had completed everything we could think of to help the FA's with the situation in the back. Still not knowing how bad things were in the cabin the CA instructed me to exit the airplane. I did so and then followed my 'evacuation' duties when outside the aircraft. As I exited the flight deck I found a clog of passengers not moving out the door. I made my way through them to find a group of passengers have congregated on the jetway. I instructed them to move and get in the terminal building. This helped the flow of passengers off the aircraft. I found one passenger in visible distress on the jetway. I did a quick assessment of the passenger and then asked if they were OK. The passenger complained of burns on their arm. It did not look bad so I asked if they could walk. The passenger said yes. So I got the assistance of another passenger to help them into the terminal. I also instructed them to take the bag that the hurt passenger said was theirs and was standing next to. Later I would find out this was the bag that was smoking. It was not smoking when I was on the jetway and I was unaware this was the threat on the aircraft. I never would have thought that the threat would be off the aircraft in the direction the passengers were going. Or taken off and left unattended.After the passengers were off the aircraft the FA's were coming off and then asked where the bag was. I asked 'What bag? The one on the ground in the jetway?' They responded Yes; that was the one that was smoking. At that point I realized that I sent it inside the terminal. I remembered what passenger had it and told the supervisor; that was on the jetway; that I could identify them to find that bag.The CA completed his final check of the aircraft and we proceeded into the terminal. The bag has been cordoned off at the gate and people were being kept away. The CA remained at the gate until ARF arrived. I took the FA's and proceeded to an unused gate to keep us together and away from the situation.The incident started with a passenger's bag there was no control over the problem. There was some confusion over what procedures were started and what roles the flight deck crew had in an 'Emergency Deplaning'.It was also confusing how and why the fire; smoking bag; was put onto the jetway. The use of the 'Emergency Deplaning' was very appropriate to this situation and did exactly what it was intended to do. However there is not a clear signal; that we knew of; that signals to the flight deck that an 'Emergency Deplaning' is in progress. There was also not an immediate action item; QRC; or QRH procedure to reference for an event like this for us on the flight deck to help. It felt as if we were making it up as we went along. Merging our evacuation checklist and duties into the 'Emergency Deplaning'.There is also no defined plan for fighting an onboard fire at the gate; that at least theflight deck is aware of. Just so we know what to expect. Example; that if we are to expect the fire or threat to be taken off the aircraft mid-deplaning.The event was a success; it was extremely helpful that the flight deck knows about 'Emergency Deplaning'. However there seems to still be confusion on roles; how to help with and execute an 'Emergency Deplaning'.
Flight crew reported a fume event during boarding cased by a 'vape charging device' meltdown in a carry-on bag.  An orderly passenger deplaning was executed and necessary emergency responders notified.