The Federal Aviation Administration has issued an official safety alert, against the risk of lithium batteries carried in flight.
The instances of batteries igniting on flights is rising.
“Lithium batteries stored in passenger overhead bins and or in carry-on baggage, may be obscured, difficult to access, or not readily monitored by passengers or crewmembers,” the FAA said.
“Because of this, detection of thermal runaway and firefighting measures may be delayed in flight, increasing the risk to safety.”
The batteries are in cell phones, laptops, power banks, and e-cigarettes among other devices.
“Use of Halon extinguishers can briefly suppress open flames, however they do not halt the thermal runaway process,” the FAA added.
The FAA reported 50 battery related incidents in August.
It calls on airlines to “consider the hazard posed by the stowage of lithium batteries in areas not visible or easily accessible to passengers or crewmembers, such as in overhead bins or in carry-on baggage.”
While several airlines globally have placed restrictions and specific rules on the carriage of lithium batteries, few in the US have.
Southwest Airlines is the only airline that requires chargers and power banks to remain ‘in plain sight’ when used during a flight.
