WASHINGTON — The risk of fire is prompting federal officials to back a proposed ban on rechargeable battery shipments on passenger airlines.
Angela Stubblefield, a Federal Aviation Administration hazardous materials official, told a public meeting “we believe the risk is immediate and urgent.” She cited research showing the batteries can cause explosions and fires capable of destroying a plane.
Billions of the lithium-ion batteries are used to power consumer electronics ranging from cellphones and laptops to power tools and toothbrushes. Tens of thousands of batteries are often shipped on a single plane.
FAA tests show even a small number of overheating batteries will emit gases that can cause explosions and fires that can’t be prevented by current aircraft fire suppression systems.
The proposed ban is on cargo shipments of rechargeable lithium batteries on passenger airlines.
The meeting was to discuss the U.S. position at an upcoming international aviation safety meeting. The International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N. panel, is scheduled to take up the question of the safety of battery shipments at a meeting in Montreal later this month. ICAO issues global aviation safety standard, although it’s up to countries whether to adopt them.
The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations has proposed the panel adopt a ban until better package or other measures can be developed to reduce the risk.
Earlier this year, aircraft makers including Boeing and Airbus called the battery shipments an “unacceptable risk” in a position paper. Boeing and Airbus also sent service bulletins to their airline customers warning of the risks revealed by FAA’s tests.
Airlines flying to and from the U.S. that accept lithium battery shipments carry 26 million passengers a year, Stubblefield said.
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