An Air France plane reportedly made a U-Turn mid-air and flew back to its original destination after a passenger lost their mobile phone.
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According to Air Live, Air France Flight AF750 left Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 11:51 on Friday, March 21. Passengers expected to go to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, after an 8-hour and 40-minute journey. However, the plane took an unexpected detour back to Paris roughly an hour after takeoff.
The outlet reveals a map of the Air France plane's flight path. The airliner left Paris, circled over the English Channel, and then returned. The round trip took just over 2 hours. Air France confirmed that the flight crew decided to return to Paris as 'a precautionary measure.'
A passenger on board reportedly lost their mobile on the flight and notified cabin staff. The crew searched for the rogue phone but couldn't locate it, prompting the destination change.
Why Was The Plane Rerouted Over A Lost Phone?
It seems unusual to send a plane back to the airport over a lost phone. This particular aircraft was busy, too, with 375 passengers, including six infants and 12 cabin crew. However, per the Independent, the crew may have returned not because of the phone's value but because of what's inside it.
The outlet explains that the airline has not confirmed the reason, but reports suggest it was due to the phone's lithium battery. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in mobile phones and pose a potential fire risk if damaged or heated. You can also find similar batteries in Power Banks, which are subject to restrictions.
According to an article by Flight Right, you can bring a Power Bank on most aircraft. However, they are only allowed in 'carry-on baggage' instead of items you check in. Flight Right also explains that these guidelines may change depending on the airliner, so it's worth checking before you travel.
This isn't the only instance where a commercial Airliner was forced to make a U-Turn this month. An Air India plane recently departed from Chicago Airport but had to return after four and half hours, citing faulty toilets. The aircraft reportedly had 12 toilets on board, and 11 became faulty or clogged on the journey. The flight crew deemed that the single remaining toilet in business class was insufficient for 300 passengers and began the long journey back to the States.
