05.06.2026 11:42
On a passenger plane preparing to travel from Ankara to Izmir, panic broke out after a portable charger (powerbank) belonging to a passenger emitted smoke. While the passengers on the plane, which was stopped on the taxiway, were evacuated, no injuries occurred in the incident.
Panic erupted on a Pegasus Airlines plane prepared to depart from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Izmir after a passenger's powerbank emitted smoke. Passengers on the aircraft, which stopped on the taxiway, were evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
Fearful moments occurred before takeoff on a Pegasus Airlines plane scheduled to operate the Ankara-Izmir flight. According to available information, after completing passenger boarding at Esenboga Airport, the aircraft began moving toward the runway for departure. At that moment, a portable charger (powerbank) belonging to one of the passengers started smoking.
PILOT NOTIFIED THE TOWER
The pilot, noticing the situation, contacted the Esenboga Air Traffic Control Tower, reported the incident, and stopped the aircraft on the taxiway. To prevent any potential danger, passengers on the plane were evacuated.
NO INJURIES
It was reported that no injuries occurred during the incident. Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) had previously banned the charging of portable powerbanks on aircraft due to risks that could jeopardize flight safety.