Pictured: The lithium battery that grounded Boeing's hi-tech Dreamliner jets around the world | Mail Online

Pictured: The lithium battery that grounded Boeing's hi-tech Dreamliner jets around the world | Mail Online

More Battery Troubles for the 787

The federal government grounded Boeing’s newest and most technologically advanced jetliner Wednesday, declaring that U.S. airlines cannot fly the 787 again until the risk of battery fires is addressed.

CBS Chicago Article can be read here:  

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/01/16/faa-grounds-boeing-787-dreamliners-over-battery-fire-risk/

FAA Press Release:

http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=14233&omniRss=press_releasesAoc&cid=102_P_R

My Two Cents:

The 787 has two very large and powerful Lithium Ion Batteries.  Lithium Batteries are one of the most controversial commodities in the DG industry.  They can be quite dangerous, but they are everywhere and in almost everything.

The DOT and ICAO place limits on the size of the batteries which can be shipped as cargo, mailed or carried by a passenger.  This is the first time that a Lithium Ion Battery has been used in an aircraft design.  It raises a lot of concerns because according to the regulations prior to Jan 2013, carriers could not carry the batteries used in the 787 as company owned cargo due to its size.  Domestically, the DOT has made an exception to the rules for carriers to move the batteries as company materials.

Fictional Hazard Label - (c) 2012 Bill Wojtas

To give you a perspective of battery sizes; A typical smart phone has a battery which is 5 to 7 watt hours.  Some wheel chairs can be around 300 watt hours.  The 2 batteries on the 787 are about 4 times larger than a wheel chair battery. 

All are approximations, but it gives a good perspective.  Lithium Batteries can be dangerous if not handled properly, period. 

Press Release - FAA Will Review Boeing 787 Design and Production

WASHINGTON - In light of a series of recent events, the FAA will conduct a comprehensive review of the Boeing 787 critical systems, including the design, manufacture and assembly. The purpose of the review is to validate the work conducted during the certification process and further ensure that the aircraft meets the FAA's high level of safety.
"The safety of the traveling public is our top priority," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This review will help us look at the root causes and do everything we can to safeguard against similar events in the future."
A team of FAA and Boeing engineers and inspectors will conduct this joint review, with an emphasis on the aircraft's electrical power and distribution system. The review will also examine how the electrical and mechanical systems interact with each other.
"We are confident that the aircraft is safe. But we need to have a complete understanding of what is happening," said FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta. "We are conducting the review to further ensure that the aircraft meets our high safety standards."
The review will be structured to provide a broader view of design, manufacturing and assembly and will not focus exclusively on individual events. The review is expected to begin in Seattle, but may expand to other locations over the course of several months.
FAA technical experts logged 200,000 hours of work during the 787 type certification and flew on numerous test flights. The FAA reviews 787 in-service events as part of our continued operational safety process.
United Airlines is currently the only U.S. airline operating the 787, with six airplanes delivered. The worldwide in-service fleet includes 50 aircraft.

FAA Press Release

787 Lithium Battery Fire

This has been big news in the DG/Aviation industry this week.  I am quite familiar with the new 787 main/apu battery and this was one of my concerns.  However, nothing is official yet and there had to be something to cause the battery to combust.  At this point, it is all wait and see.

another good article from Aviation Week can be found here:

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_01_14_2013_p19-534758.xml

Hidden Danger Aboard Planes: Lithium Batteries

The new year brings new shipping standards for lithium batteries—and though they're designed to improve safety, the new rules may not be enough to protect us.

Newser.com article: 

JAL 787 suffers fire at Boston

A smoky fire broke out aboard an empty Japan Airlines 787 Dreamliner in Boston on Monday, officials said, in the latest trouble to hit the fuel-efficient Boeing passenger aircraft.

You can read the full Japan Times article here: 

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20130109a5.html

Japan Today Article:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/fire-sends-smoke-into-jal-787-cabin-afte-arrival-in-boston

Lithium batteries OK for shipping overseas

You now can ship electronics with lithium batteries overseas again since the U.S. Postal Service has lifted its ban — although restrictions apply.

You can read the full Army Times article here: 

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2013/01/offduty-lithium-batteries-ok-for-shipping-overseas-010713w

NPRM: Hazardous Materials: Transportation of Lithium Batteries

A Proposed Rule by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on 01/07/2013

In this document, PHMSA is seeking additional comment on the impact of changes to the requirements for the air transport of lithium cells and batteries that have been adopted into the 2013-2014 International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical Instructions), and subsequently incorporated by reference in a final rule published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. PHMSA is considering the long-term impacts of permitting shippers and carriers to choose between compliance with the existing HMR, or compliance with the ICAO Technical Instructions 2013-2014 edition, when transporting batteries domestically by air. Incorporation by reference of the 2013-2014 Edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions will allow each shipper and carrier to choose the method of compliance that is most appropriate for its operation; likewise, each shipper and carrier will have the responsibility to ensure that the proper method of compliance is chosen for each shipment, since the chosen method may not comply with the ICAO Technical Instructions.

Read the NPRM here:  FEDERAL REGISTER

Air freighters could get pass on lithium battery restrictions

Air cargo operators in the U.S. could be off the hook for complying with international standards related to the transport of lithium batteries, Bloomberg reports.

Read the Memphis Business Journal Article Here:  MBJ Morning Call

portable oxygen units

Praxair has recalled its Grab 'n Go Vantage portable oxygen units. Turns out that if these cylinders get kicked or knocked over they can sometimes catch fire. The company is replacing o-rings between the built-in pressure valve and gas tank.

Read the full article here:   NPR Article