Lithium Batteries in Air Transport

Shipping Lithium Batteries, Courtesy of Cryptome(dot)org.

Since 1991, we have identified over 40 air transport-related
incidents involving lithium batteries and devices powered by lithium
batteries. A list of these incidents can be found on the FAA Web site
at:


Chart.



These incidents occurred aboard passenger aircraft and cargo
aircraft, prior to loading batteries aboard an aircraft, and after
batteries were transported by air. Many of the incidents were directly
related to a lack of awareness of the required safety measures
applicable to shipments of lithium batteries or because passengers
failed to follow preventative measures to protect batteries from short
circuit or damage.
On September 9, 2009 a passenger flight declared an
emergency after a passenger attempted to hand the flight attendant a
carrier-provided personal electronic device (PED). The PED was dropped
and upon impact with the cabin floor the battery pack sparked and began
smoking. Two flight attendants extinguished the fire with water.
On August 25, 2009 DOT received information related to a
smoking and burning package that was discovered at a Medford,
Massachusetts sorting facility. Upon inspection, the consignment was
discovered to contain 30 individual batteries grouped together in six
or seven battery packs. The package contained lithium batteries that
were shipped as general cargo. There were no markings or labels on the
outer package indicating the material was a hazardous material.
On August 15, 2009 a package containing lithium ion
batteries was found smoldering, and emitting smoke in a unit load
device (ULD) in an aircraft loading facility in Taipei, Taiwan. The ULD
had been carried from the Island of Macau. Personnel in the Taiwan
facility responded quickly to extinguish the

[[Page 51644]]

smoldering fire before any open flames were seen. The packages were
unmarked and the contents were noted on the invoice as ``electrical
adapters.''
On August 14, 2009 after landing the aircraft, the flight
crew received a warning indicating smoke in the forward cargo
compartment. Initial indications are that a fire originated with a
shipment of approximately 1,000 e-cigarettes, each containing a lithium
metal battery. There were no markings or labels indicating the
materials posed a specific hazard or contained lithium batteries.
On July 15, 2009 one of several related packages
transported from Romulus, Michigan was discovered emitting smoke and
smoldering upon arrival in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Upon
inspection, the package was found to contain numerous loose lithium-ion
cell phone batteries haphazardly packed with no apparent measures to
protect against short-circuits or overheating. Package documentation
indicated, ``used batteries--non haz.''

FAQ Lithium Batteries.