Emergency USDOT Ban on Samsung Note 7 Devices Has Teeth

In addition to “a high risk of severe personal injury,” any passengers who bring Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones on commercial airline flights could now face fines and/or criminal prosecution.

Following Samsung’s decision on October 11th to halt the manufacture and sale of Note 7 smartphones, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued an emergency order banning the fire-prone devices from all commercial flights originating or arriving in the United States. Unlike previous advisories recommending that devices not be charged or turned on in-flight, the new emergency order issued on Friday promises serious penalties for both carriers and passengers found in violation of the ban.

“We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement announcing the emergency rules. “We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident in-flight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk.”

Last week, some Australian Airlines started to restrict how passengers could use and store the phones in question. US-based airlines also reached out to passengers, hoping that flyers educated on the potential risks would choose not to use the recalled smartphones aboard flights. A handful of carriers even began installing fire-containment bags on some aircraft in response to the unprecedented fire risk presented by the handheld devices.

The latest USDOT ruling, however, is unequivocal; all Samsung Note 7 devices are now banned from cargo, checked baggage and carry-on items on all commercial flights. The emergency ruling requires airlines to immediately start screening passengers and bags for the banned phone and provides for fines and criminal prosecution for anyone attempting to circumvent the emergency USDOT order.

“The fire hazard with the original Note7 and with the replacement Note7 is simply too great for anyone to risk it and not respond to this official recall,” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Elliot F. Kaye said of the potential fire danger posed by the discontinued devices. “I would like to remind consumers once again to take advantage of the remedies offered, including a full refund. It’s the right thing to do and the safest thing to do.”

[Screengrab: YouTube]