Lithium battery fires on U.S. flights now happen practically twice per week, in keeping with new FAA information
As hundreds of thousands put together to fly for the vacations, the Federal Aviation Administration is warning vacationers a couple of hidden hazard of their baggage: lithium-ion batteries. Present in on a regular basis gadgets like laptops, tablets and even electrical toothbrushes, these batteries can catch fireplace in the event that they overheat or are broken.
Final July, panic erupted on an American Airways flight from San Francisco to Miami after a laptop computer battery in a carry-on bag ignited.
“It was absolute chaos. It actually felt like each man for themselves. And it was terrifying,” stated Shilpa Patel, a passenger on the flight. “I do not know if we’ll explode. All I do know is I have to get out and I have to survive.”
FAA information exhibits that lithium battery fires on U.S. flights have risen 388% since 2015, now occurring practically twice per week.
“Any fireplace at 30,000 ft is unacceptable,” stated David Wroth of UL Requirements & Engagement, a security analysis group.
A survey of greater than 800 flight attendants carried out by UL discovered that 87% are involved about lithium battery dangers on airplanes, and greater than a 3rd consider airways ought to do extra to make sure passenger security. Whereas the FAA requires airways to incorporate basic security info in preflight bulletins, these warnings typically do not handle the precise danger of battery fires.
“It is a steadiness we in all probability have to do a greater job placing with the airways,” stated Ben Supko, who oversees hazardous supplies security for the FAA. “Passengers do not totally perceive how critical the danger is.”
Supko stated passengers want to observe gadgets throughout a flight and instantly notify the crew if a tool turns into heat, discolors, or bulges. Passengers are additionally warned to not pack lithium batteries in checked baggage, as fires within the cargo maintain are more durable to extinguish.
“When you do not know what is going on to occur, you act erratically,” stated Patel. “It prices us nothing simply to say, ‘Hey, the rationale why we’re so critical about it’s because it may very well be actually harmful. It may catch fireplace.'”
The UL survey additionally discovered that one in 4 passengers admits to packing lithium batteries of their checked baggage. It’s a harmful observe for one purpose specifically: It might be even more durable to place out a hearth within the airplane’s cargo maintain.
CBS Information contacted American Airways concerning the incident on the San Francisco airport and potential updates to its security bulletins. The airline didn’t handle the query immediately however acknowledged that its flight attendants obtain thorough and ongoing coaching to deal with emergencies onboard.
