Proven Fire Hazards Prompt Airlines to Reconsider In-Flight Use of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Tests reveal that onboard charging of airline-provided tablets may present a fire hazard, prompting some organizations to seek a ban of the practice.

WARNING: Traveling with Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) could be a fire hazard. Testing conducted by the FAA & Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) shows devices with lithium-ion batteries have the potential to cause fires in aircraft cabins, with the greatest risk stemming from the storing and charging of PEDs in galley carts.

At issue is the lithium-ion-polymer batteries used in most tablets. The testing sought to identify the impact of tablets being stored in galley carts and other enclosed spaces for a period of time. Researchers set one of the tablets on fire to measure how it would react to thermal runaway (an uncontrolled increase in temperature) conditions. What they found was that the thermal runaway could potentially release flammable gases, resulting in an explosion that was powerful enough to blow the door off the galley cart.

Most airlines do not store or charge tablets on aircraft, but rather charge devices prior to takeoff. According to the testing report, Hawaiian Airlines and Transportes Aéreos Portugueses (TAP) both noted they offer tablets to passengers but find it “more efficient” to charge them on the ground.

Qantas announced in 2014 that it would be commissioning a specially designed galley cart to store and charge tablets, but in the wake of last year’s findings, the Australian flag carrier appears to be rethinking its plan as it continues to ground-charge devices.

Runway Girl Network reported that airlines “are attempting to get out in front of a debate” slated to take place later this month in Montreal, during which “an international aviation industry group is expected to ask the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to issue a ban on the bulk shipment of lithium batteries on passenger airlines.”

[Photo: FAA]