U.S. Louisville, Kentucky – Another Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone has exploded in a public space. Amidst an official recall from US regulators, a Note 7 blew up in Louisville International Airport on Wednesday, during the boarding process of Southwest Flight 994.
What’s more, it was a replaced phablet, one that Samsung assured was safe. The Verge magazine spoke to Brian Green, owner of the Note 7, and he confirmed he picked a new phone at an AT&T store on September 21st.
A photograph of the phone’s box shows the black square symbol that indicates the company delivered a replacement Note 7, the green battery on the status bar, the Always On Display Screen, and the Power Off Prompt screen.
The Verge also ran the phone’s IMEI via Samsung’s recall eligibility checker and found out Green’s Galaxy Note 7 was not part of the recall.
The Galaxy Note 7 overheated as passengers were boarding the plane
The phone was off in the owner’s pocket when it overheated. Green dropped it on the floor, and a “thick grey-green angry smoke” started swirling around the phablet.
The phone damaged the plane’s carpet as it scorched the subfloor of the passenger’s cabin. Officials had to evacuate crew and travelers through the main door. No one got injured.
Green said the phone was around 80 percent battery when he stored it on his pocket, and that he had only used a wireless charger since he received the new device.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) chairman issued a statement about the airport incident:
“I want to reiterate my call for consumers who have the recalled Galaxy Note 7 to keep their smartphones powered down and to immediately take advantage of remedies being offered by Samsung. Consumers should know that one of the remedies is a refund.”
Samsung cannot cope with the disaster
Samsung has received over 92 reports of batteries overheating in the country, including 26 complaints of property damage.
Customers find dozens of problems to change their devices. Gizmodo previously reported that U.S. stores are pushing excuses to avoid changing the Note 7 while The Wall Street reports replacement phones have the same overheating problem.
At this point, owners should consider selling the device for something less dangerous as a Google Pixel, iPhone 7, LGV20 or Huawei Mate 8.
Source: Gizmodo
