Fri, May 15, 2009
Lithium Batteries Attract Scrutiny
NTSB Member Deborah A.P. Hersman
testified, Thursday, before Congress about the safety of hazardous
materials transportation. Part of that testimony was focused on the
transportation of lithium batteries, a current issue of concern to
many in aviation.
Testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads,
Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, Hersman said that the Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has failed to
act on NTSB recommendations to address these safety issues.
The NTSB has recommended that PHMSA require reporting of all
incidents involving lithium battery fires, that failed batteries be
retained and examined, and that exemptions allowing transportation
of some lithium batteries without proper labeling be eliminated.
Lithium batteries are commonly found in watches, cameras, cell
phones and laptop computers. Failed batteries can ignite
spontaneously,
posing a safety hazard when they are transported in aviation.
The NTSB investigated a fire that destroyed two cargo pallets at
Los Angeles International Airport in 1999, and another fire in 2006
that destroyed a cargo aircraft in Philadelphia. Although the
second case could not be directly tied to lithium batteries, the
accident prompted the Board to closely examine the issue.
"As the popularity of electronic equipment has increased,"
Hersman said, "so has the number of incidents of lithium battery
fires in transportation. An in-depth analysis of the causes of
lithium battery failures would improve the safe transportation of
these batteries."
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]