UNITED CARGO SHIPMENT BLOWS UP
An overheated shipping container apparently caused a minor explosion in the hold of a United Airlines passenger jet during loading over the weekend at San Francisco International Airport, according to wire and local television reports.
The incident occurred on United Airlines Flight 33 bound for Hawaii.
Airport officials said they suspect that a battery or power supply for test equipment for electronic overheated. The explosion ripped through foam packaging and blew the hinges off the container. A baggage handler sustained slight injuries, according to a couple of reports.
Airport spokesman Mike McCarron told KCBS TV that there was no damage to the aircraft and that the explosion was so small there was never any danger to the passengers even if the incident had happened in mid-flight.
The owner of the package was detained for questioning, according to Reuters. The incident is being treated as an accident.