A 75-year-old woman’s fatal burns from an exploding power bank on her lap, combined with a mid-flight fire injuring a passenger, forced regulators to reannounce a massive recall.
Story Snapshot
- CPSC reissues recall for 429,000 Casely E33A power banks after 28 new incidents, including one death and one plane fire.
- August 2024: Elderly New Jersey woman dies from second- and third-degree burns when device explodes while charging phone on her lap.
- February incident: Power bank ignites on airplane, causing first-degree burns to 47-year-old woman.
- Lithium-ion batteries prone to thermal runaway, reaching 900°C and spreading fires rapidly.
- Consumers must stop use immediately, get free replacements, and dispose via hazardous waste centers.
Casely Power Bank Recall Timeline
Casely sold 429,000 Power Banks 5000mAh model E33A from March 2022 to September 2024 on its website, Amazon, and other retailers for $30 to $70.
These MagSafe-compatible wireless chargers feature “Casely” engraved on the front and “E33A” on the back. CPSC issued the initial recall in April 2025 after 51 reports of overheating, swelling, or fires, resulting in six minor burns.
Regulators reannounced the recall last week following 28 additional incidents. The escalation stemmed from severe cases, including the August 2024 tragedy and a February airplane blaze.
CPSC data underscores lithium-ion battery risks, in which thermal runaway triggers chain reactions in cells, producing fires that are difficult to extinguish.
Fatal Incident Details
A 75-year-old New Jersey woman placed the Casely power bank on her lap in August 2024 to charge her phone. The device exploded, inflicting second- and third-degree burns. She succumbed to her injuries later.
This heartbreaking event highlights vulnerabilities among elderly users, who may lack the quick reflexes needed to react to sudden hazards.
Casely’s voluntary recall response shows appropriate action, though earlier detection could have prevented tragedy. CPSC enforcement protects families without overregulating free markets.
Aviation Fire Hazard Exposed
In February, a 47-year-old woman charged her phone with the power bank aboard a plane. The device caught fire and exploded, causing first-degree burns.
U.S. aviation recorded 446 lithium battery incidents from 2006 to 2023, with 24 in 2023 alone. These events disrupt flights, endanger crews, and amplify calls for stricter airline battery policies.
Precedents like the VRURC OD-B7 recall—Chinese-made units sold on Amazon from 2021 to 2023—mirror this pattern. A flight fire there injured four crew members via smoke inhalation due to a manufacturing defect.
Over 30,000 wireless power banks and 1.1 million others were subject to similar recalls due to fire risks.
Recall reannounced for power banks after charger causes fire on plane, death to 75-year-old woman https://t.co/FYIEC5BmJ0
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) April 20, 2026
CPSC directs consumers to halt use immediately. Casely offers free replacements via their site. Do not discard in trash; lithium batteries pose ongoing fire threats in landfills. Contact local hazardous waste centers for guidance on safe disposal.
Stakeholders and Broader Implications
CPSC wields regulatory authority, mandating safety through data-driven recalls. Casely prioritizes customer safety and liability mitigation by providing remedies. Retailers like Amazon comply with notices.
Victims, from the deceased elder to burned passengers and crews, drive urgency. In the long term, expect manufacturing reforms and eroding trust in portable chargers.
Short-term effects include replacement costs and aviation disruptions. Politically, this bolsters oversight on imports, aligning with sensible protections for American consumers against defective foreign goods. Industry-wide scrutiny on lithium-ion tech promises safer innovations without stifling progress.
Sources:
Recall reannounced for power banks after charger causes fire on plane, death to 75-year-old woman
Power bank recalled after fire on passenger plane injures four of the crew
