Concerns Over Lithium Battery Airliner Crash

The subject of lithium battery safety on flights was heavily debated this week at a World Cargo Event held in Dublin, highlighting concerns that it may take an airliner to crash before proper regulations are introduced.

One prominent speaker, from a major airline, suggested that it could take hundreds of deaths before proper regulations are introduced in regard to screening.

He went on to cite three examples of major incidents, caused by poorly packed lithium batteries, that happened on the airline’s aircraft, but thankfully did not result in a crash. On one occasion the batteries were only separated by an A4 piece of paper and all incidents were fraudulently declared.

While Lithium batteries are considered safe to users, when installed in electronic devices such as mobile phones and power tools, they can actually be punctured and can ignite or even explode. When handled or stored together, this can can lead to fires, which is why they are considered dangerous goods.

IATA has launched a certification programme in a bid to boost safety in the carriage of lithium batteries, although criminalising false declarations is the next step.

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