The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a fresh safety alert to US airlines, warning of the increasing risks posed by lithium-ion batteries in passenger cabins. The alert highlights that batteries stored in overhead bins or carry-on baggage may be difficult to access or monitor, delaying detection of thermal runaway and firefighting measures.
The FAA noted that Halon extinguishers can briefly suppress flames but do not stop the thermal runaway process, which requires large amounts of water to cool the battery. The alert follows 50 reported incidents this year of batteries emitting smoke, igniting, or overheating, leading to flight diversions and injuries.
One incident involved a mobile phone on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Madrid, which overheated, damaging the aircraft floor and injuring a passenger. Another saw a laptop emit smoke on a flight from Chicago to Portland, Oregon, forcing a diversion to Casper, Wyoming.
The FAA recommends airlines enhance risk mitigation strategies, including better communication about battery risks, improved firefighting procedures, and additional crew training. The agency has also proposed a $60,000 civil penalty against LG Energy Solution for shipping undeclared and improperly packaged lithium batteries from Seoul to Los Angeles in January 2024, which ignited at a FedEx facility.
Southwest Airlines is the only major US carrier requiring passengers to keep portable chargers and power banks visible during flights. Spare lithium batteries are generally prohibited in checked luggage.
