Here are pictures of what happened to the plane after an on-board fire:
http://upsfire.com/philfire.htm
While Lithium batteries were not conclusively found to be the originating source / accelerant, the final FAA report states:
Since August 2006, the CPSC, in cooperation with Dell, Apple, Lenovo, and
IBM, has recalled more than 9 million laptops containing secondary lithium batteries,
which were prompted by reports of batteries overheating, resulting in two minor injuries
and several cases of property damage. The recall warned consumers of the potential
for the batteries to overheat in laptop computers and the possible fire hazard to their
users. Further, the CSPC has issued five additional recalls for other products containing
secondary lithium batteries. During the Safety Board’s public hearing, the CPSC predicted
that more incidents and recalls would occur if the deficiencies with the secondary lithium
batteries were not addressed.
1.18.6.2 Recent Lithium Battery-Related Safety Alerts
On March 22, 2007, PHMSA issued Safety Advisory 07-02, “Transportation of
Batteries and Battery-Powered Devices by Airline Passengers and Crew Members,†to
“inform the traveling public and airline employees about the importance of properly
packing and handling batteries and battery-powered devices when they are carried
aboard aircraft.†The advisory suggested measures for complying with regulations and
minimizing transportation risks associated with batteries and battery-powered devices.
Concurrently, ALPA issued Safety Alert 2007-03, “Responding to In Flight Passenger
Electronic Equipment Fires,†to “educate its members as to the characteristics of a fire
involving a portable electronic device.â€Â
On August 3, 2007, the FAA issued Information for Operators (InFO) 07016,
“PHMSA Guidance on the Carriage of Batteries and Battery-Powered Devices,†because
it continued to receive reports of cabin smoke or fire suspected to have originated from
batteries or battery‑powered devices carried in the cabin.66 The InFO provided the guidance
contained in PHMSA Safety Advisory 07-02. The InFO reminded operators to be aware
of the risks associated with using primary and secondary batteries and battery-powered
devices in the passenger cabin and readdressed the availability of guidance for the safe
transport of batteries and battery‑powered devices on board aircraft.
http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2007/aar0707.pdf
Particularly of concern is this finding:
A 2006 Safety Board review of the reported battery incident data for the previous
10 years showed an increase in aviation incidents involving both secondary and primary
lithium batteries. Specifically, from February 2001 to February 2006, secondary lithium
batteries were involved in four aviation incidents compared to the one incident involving
secondary lithium batteries in the previous 5-year period. Data from February 2006 to
July 2007 showed that the number of incidents (nine) involving secondary lithium batteries
was nearly double that of the previous 10 years. Similarly, primary lithium batteries
were involved in three incidents from February 1996 to 2001, four in the following 5-year
period, and six from February 2006 to July 2007. A review of FAA records confirmed these
statistics.
While data beyond 2006 is not immediately available, my understanding is that the trend line of incidents involving batteries, both primary and secondary, are increasing.
In the case of OEM Laptop batteries made by major manufacturers like Sony and marketed as OEM battery packs by Dell, HP, etc. these batteries are at least, potentially recallable.
However, large numbers of Lithium batteries (of all chemistries) are now being made by firms in China and used to either build new battery packs, or rebuild existing battery packs.
Furthermore, many of the higher power battery packs are made by manufacturers or distributions with little concern for detailed record keeping, incident reporting, and proven safety systems.
While hobbyists should not be singled out, it is self evident that many hobbyists, who field devices from robots, model aircraft, cars, electric bicycles, scooters, etc., are transporting these devices with little awareness or concern as to their safety.
At the present time, luck has been on the side of the transportation industry that there have only been a few serious incidents. But with the millions of these batteries now in circulation on a daily basis, it is nearly inevitable that it is a matter of time before a failing battery pack cause a highly publicized incident that will cost lives and property.
If the electric vehicle community have any sense of legal, moral and social responsibility, they will be at the forefront of making this technology safer, rather than to fight or attempt to circumvent regulations currently in place.
Although it could not be determined whether lithium batteries played a role in
the UPS cargo fire, public hearing testimony and the continued occurrence of incidents
involving these batteries on board airplanes suggest the need for greater attention to the
risks posed by transporting these batteries on commercial aircraft. A review of FAA and
CPSC records shows that the number of both secondary and primary lithium batteryrelated
incidents (many of which involved laptop computer fires that resulted from either
internal or external short-circuiting of the secondary lithium batteries) has increased
consistently over the years.75 Since February 2006, the CPSC has recalled more than
9 million laptops containing secondary lithium batteries and has issued additional recalls
for other products containing secondary lithium batteries. During the Safety Board’s
public hearing, the CPSC predicted that more incidents and recalls would occur if the
deficiencies were not addressed. Further, the increasing popularity of portable electronic
devices suggests that lithium battery-related incidents, particularly those involving
secondary lithium batteries, will continue to increase. The Safety Board concludes that
testing and incident data indicate that lithium batteries can pose a fire hazard.
Explain to me, any of you, how many of the manufacturers you are dealing with, honestly, fairly, and financially, are able to deal with a battery recall ?
My guess: NONE.
For those who think they can sneak Lithium batteries on board.... here is a scary point:
Because many incidents involving lithium batteries are exempt from reporting
requirements, the data regarding such incidents are incomplete, which has prevented
a thorough assessment of the causes of these failures and the risks associated with
transporting lithium batteries.
This hole was just recently plugged:
Require commercial cargo and passenger operators to report to the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration all incidents involving primary and
secondary lithium batteries, including those contained in or packed with equipment, that
occur either on board or during loading or unloading operations and retain the failed
items for evaluation purposes. (A-07-107); Current classification: Openâ€â€Acceptable
Response
Analyze the causes of all thermal failures and fires involving secondary and primary
lithium batteries and, based on this analysis, take appropriate action to mitigate any risks
determined to be posed by transporting secondary and primary lithium batteries,
including those contained in or packed with equipment, on board cargo and passenger
aircraft as cargo; checked baggage; or carry-on items. (A-07-108); Current classification:
Openâ€â€Acceptable Response
Eliminate regulatory exemptions for the packaging, marking, and labeling of cargo
shipments of small secondary lithium batteries (no more than 8 grams equivalent lithium
content) until the analysis of the failures and the implementation of risk-based
requirements asked for in Safety Recommendation A-07-108 are completed. (A-07-109);
Current classification: Openâ€â€Acceptable Response
http://www.ntsb.gov/speeches/hersman/testimony_hersman_090514.pdf
