Lithium Batteries: Aviation's Growing Threat

It can be said that flying is safer today than at any other time in history. The main reason this claim can be made is because the industry has been able to reduce if not eliminate any threat is has faced. This is usually done through various means such as: technology advances, more reliable systems, training, or regulations. Today, however, the industry faces a safety threat that is only going to grow in size and frequency, and that it has little control over. The threat, lithium batteries and the fire risk they pose! As consumers continue to increase their use of cell phones, tablets, laptops etc. and the electronics industry continues to satisfy their demand with more powerful devices, this threat will only grow. It is not possible to just ban these devices from aircraft or ban their use on aircraft because they have become such a fixture and necessary tool in our lives. Even as a pilot I require a tablet in the flight deck as an electronic flight bag. 

The most infamous example of the dangers of these batteries was the recent Samsung Note 7 and it's manufacturing defect that led to numerous fires. Although this specific model has now been banned from aircraft and recalled by Samsung, it only highlighted the danger of these batteries. Flaws in battery manufacturing, impact damage, overheating of gray-market batteries or overcharging by low-cost replacement chargers can all start a fire. Another concern is that battery damage to a lithium-powered device could cause thermal runaway days later. Although not widely reported, there are several incidents involving there batteries on aircraft each year. The latest was on March 5, 2017 aboard a China Southern Boeing 737. The aircraft was enroute at FL320 about 30 minutes into the flight when a passenger's battery pack overheated and burst into flames. Cabin crew quickly extinguished the fire, cooled the device down and put it into a safe container.   

           Remains of lithium ion battery pack
from China Southern flight.

The fact that this incident did become more serious is a direct result of  industry regulators and airlines being pro-active. Since the ability to just ban these devices is neither possible or practical, let's face it, the flying public would never stand for it! As with other risks in the industry an approach of mitigating the threat had to be developed. It is taking place right now! The attempt to mitigate this threat is being accomplished on several fronts. First off is training, airlines are training flight and cabin crews on the dangers of these batteries, how to recognise a possible issue, and most importantly how to fight and contain a lithium battery fire. Crews, such as the successful China Southern crew, are being taught that the most effective way to contain a lithium battery fire or thermal runaway is to cool the device by dousing with non-flammable liquids. The liquid will cool the cells of the battery and not allow other cells of the battery to overheat. It is important to know that ice will not work as it will only insulate the heat in, it must be non-flammable liquid. The second way the industry is mitigating the risk is to not allow these in checked luggage and banning lithium metal batteries in the cargo hold of passenger aircraft. As a passenger it is important that devices or spare batteries are not packed in checked luggage. Actually this is something you declare when checking in either online or with an airline agent.

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The industry is also looking at other ways to make the carrying of these devices less of a risk. An example of this is PlaneGard. www.planegard.com They have developed a case that will contain a device fire and smoke if it starts to malfunction. (Watch video above) Some airlines have begun to carry their case on oceanic flights. As mentioned before, unlike past risks in aviation that have decreased over time this is different. The flying public like all consumers will always be seeking smaller more powerful devices that will require smaller more powerful lithium batteries. The result of this is that these incidents will happen more frequently. The aviation industry's only defence is continue to find ways to mitigate a threat they can not stop completely.