FAA Data Reveals Weekly Average of Lithium Battery Incidents on US Flights
Federal legislation aimed at addressing the fire hazards associated with lithium batteries is currently under consideration.
According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), incidents related to lithium-ion batteries now occur, on average, once a week on flights in the United States, raising alarm among cabin crew about the associated risks.
This amounts to over 1.3 incidents per week, with a staggering increase of more than 330 percent in such occurrences since 2015.
From March 3, 2006, to November 5, 2024, a total of 579 lithium battery-related incidents have been documented, primarily originating from passenger airlines.
The majority of these incidents (229) involved battery packs and batteries, followed by e-cigarettes/vape devices (122), cell phones (81), laptops (70), and other electronic and medical devices.
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The FAA reported that “flight attendants discovered a passenger in the lavatory whose laptop had started to overheat. A flight attendant placed the overheating laptop in a thermal containment bag, and the aircraft proceeded to its destination without further issues.”
Earlier, on October 5, a passenger’s carry-on bag ignited while the aircraft was boarding in Buffalo, New York, with lithium batteries identified as the source of the fire. Passengers were evacuated while the blaze was extinguished, and the batteries were removed from the plane.
While nearly all cabin crew members (97%) reported awareness of these risks, only “65% of airline passengers surveyed by ULSE acknowledged them.”
Lithium Fire Dangers, Legislation
Experts regard fires caused by lithium batteries as a serious threat. During testimony before Congress earlier this year, New York City Fire Department Chief Fire Marshall Daniel Flynn cautioned that lithium battery fires are “more intense and dangerous” compared to other sources.
“These batteries undergo explosive reactions, emitting highly toxic gases and launching flaming cells that can travel considerable distances, heightening the risk of fire spread,” he stated. “Such fires create extremely hazardous situations, significantly complicating escape for anyone nearby, especially if a fire breaks out at night when individuals may be asleep.”
This legislation requires the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish safety standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in micro-mobility devices like e-bikes. Companies such as Uber and DoorDash have expressed support for the bill.
“The problems we face here are reflected nationwide. This legislation will ensure uniformity in the safe use of these devices,” Tucker remarked. “This federal initiative is the vital element we have been missing in addressing this issue, and we are thrilled to anticipate the passing of this law soon.”
