The news is especially damaging for Samsung because the device in question was reportedly a “safe” replacement version of the phone, which was not believed to be vulnerable to the overheating issue.

Brian Green, the phone’s owner, told technology website The Verge that he had only bought the device on September 21, when Samsung began selling new versions of the device that it said did not have the same battery problems.

Mr Green said he had powered down the phone at the crew’s request, but that it began smoking in his pocket. He dropped the phone on the floor and the flight was swiftly evacuated. He said the device had burned a hole in the plane’s carpet and scorched the floor underneath. Samsung said there was no evidence that the phone in question was the new Note 7.