Qantas A388 near Honolulu on May 21st 2014, personal electronic device's battery overheats

A Qantas Airbus A380-800, registration VH-OQK performing flight QF-93 from Melbourne,VI (Australia) to Los Angeles,CA (USA), was enroute near Hawaii (USA) when the battery of a passenger's personal air purifier worn around the neck overheated and emitted smoke. The crew performed the relevant emergency actions and immersed the device in water which effectively dissipated the heat from the device and stopped the smoke. The passenger received superficial burns not needing medical assistance. The aircraft continued to Los Angeles for a safe landing.

The ATSB reported on Jul 28th 2014, that the investigation into the occurrence has been discontinued after the investigation established, that the battery, a non-rechargeable Lithium battery, was within the specifications permitted for carry on items and the crew reacted according to documented procedures, which proved effective. The ATSB reasoned: "Given that the ATSB’s records show that this type of battery failure is quite uncommon and both the crew’s actions and documented procedures were effective in managing the small risks involved, there would be limited safety benefit in investigating the matter further, and as such, the ATSB investigation has been discontinued."