Overheating Apple devices caused an EgyptAir plane to crash into the Mediterranean, the families of those who died claim in a lawsuit against the technology giant and the airline.

EgyptAir flight 804 flight went down in the Mediterranean while en route from Paris to Cairo in May 2016, killing 40 Egyptians, 15 French citizens, and one Briton.

Now it has been reported several of the victims claim the crash was down to the co-pilot’s iPhone 6S or iPad mini overheating in the cockpit and catching fire.

According to court documents seen by TMZ, the families claim an investigation has revealed the device ignited and led to a bigger fire in the cockpit, which ultimately took the plane down.

The families are suing for damages and both the airline and Apple are listed in the case.

Egyptian authorities have now concluded their inquiry and a file has been passed to the country’s Attorney General in Cairo.

But a separate investigation by the French has stalled due to the Egyptians’ apparent refusal to hand over debris and raw data from the aircraft’s black box recorders.

It is understood that French investigators are exploring three possible causes: terrorism, a fire caused by the co-pilot’s mobile devices overheating after being plugged into an incorrect socket in the cockpit or a mechanical fault.

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