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FAA warns of potentially 'catastrophic' battery explosions
The Federal Aviation Administration wants airlines to think twice about carrying lithium batteries. But don't worry, you're still allowed to bring your laptop and phone with you on a flight. The FAA on Tuesday issued a safety alert urging airlines to examine the risks associated with transporting lithium batteries as cargo, including "the potential risk for a catastrophic hull loss." The alert covers batteries being transported as components and not those already inside… (www.cnet.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
As this is an obvious safety issue shouldn't the FAA be implementing REGULATIONS, rather than asking airlines "to think twice about carrying" these? I'm baffled.
Never had any of those problems with Ni-Cad batteries, Back in "the Day" That's all there was in turbine aircraft. After I left the industry (aviation) in 1992, I got an invoice from my maintenance Co. for $5,000, something to do with EPA, 2 years later. I ignored it, and never heard anything again. Now I just fly my 340A for personal, twin piston w lead acid.
In turbines we used NiCad mainly for their ability to dump thousands of amps at low temps and recharge much quicker than lead-acid. NiCAD has a few specific faults but bomb-like combustion isn't one.
I am not so sure about these batteries type there has being incidents of fires on board aircraft of these lethal items exploding inflight but does anyone look at there flight itinerary if you read the fine writing it does state on some carrier tickets no explosive type materials allowed which included these batteries
Good point. It's a complicated issue: On one hand the potential for thermal runaway is well documented, has occurred thousands of times. OTOH, the air, comm and regulatory industry is gearing-up to provide in-flight wifi and broadband services, which means allowing all manner of battery powered devices onboard. As the technology advances (chemistry, power draw, power gain) this risk is being reduced. But will never be zero as far as these type chemical cells go. The Boeing redesign has had at least two reported instances of thermal runaway since the redesign of the initial package. It doesn't make me feel any better than this was contained. Sort of like saying 'yes it's a bomb but we have it inside a box, no worries'..
The FAA leaves me skeptical; they seem to have conflicted interests. On the one hand they admonish and propose limits for LiON transport yet they let Boeing have their way on the 787 and even placated them with a special waiver. Not until two *reported* incidents did they clamp down, but still allowing continued use of LiON power supply system, again after Boeing promised, pleaded, cajoled.
Seems double standard to me.
Seems double standard to me.