July 29, 2011 Lithium Cells Were On Crash Plane

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By Russ Niles, Editor-in-Chief

Lithium batteries were reportedly on board a five-year-old Asiana Airlines Boeing 747F cargo plane that crashed in the ocean off South Korea Thursday after the two-person crew reported an in-flight fire. According to Air Transport World the aircraft, on a regular run from Soeul/Incheon, South Korea to Shanghai/Pudong, China. It was also carrying paints and resins. Cause of the fire and the subsequent crash hasn't been determined but lithium batteries are thought to be the cause of a fire that brought down a UPS 747 last year in Dubai.

The publication reported Asiana officials said the batteries and liquids were loaded in compliance with international standards and that was checked by the crew. The flight was diverted to Jeju after the fire was reported but crashed in the East China Sea. Debris and a fuel slick has been found by searchers. The NTSB is sending a team to help with the investigation.