Cell Phone Fire Forces Plane Back To El Paso Airport

Passengers on a recent flight leaving El Paso International Airport will probably be taking the pilots order to turn off cell phones a little more seriously after this.

A flight from El Paso to Houston had just departed its terminal at El Paso International Airport when it suddenly had to return due to a major glitch with a passengers cell phone.

As Southwest Airlines flight 2112 ... Yeah, 2112. I wonder if there were any Rush fans on board? ... taxied away, a passengers cell phone suddenly "ignited" and burst into flame. I guess you could say, (Rush fans will get this.), the phone "assumed control".

Flight 2112 is expected to try and get from El Paso to Houston again later today. (5/1/25) Heads up if you're on it, make sure your phone is working ok. Believe it or not, this isn't the weirdest reason flights have been sent back to the gate.

Strange Reasons Flights Returned To The Gate

There have been some downright zany reasons planes have had to return to their departure gate. Some actually got in the air and well on the way to their destinations before they had to go back.

My wife and I, along with all the other passengers, had to walk back to the terminal at El Paso International Airport once after the pilot broke the plane. He "oversteered" and somehow locked the nose wheel at a 90 degree angle. Seriously, look ...

We sat on the plane for an hour or so before taking our little stroll and then couldn't get another flight until the next day.