Pilot unions concerned that international safety standards are lacking when it comes to regulation of lithium batteries have (at least temporarily) lost out to industry and foreign government interests. A deal struck as part of the talks on long-term funding for the FAA blocks new battery shipment rules proposed by the Obama administration and reverts to what the pilot unions believe are inadequate international standards. Industries that ship products containing lithium batteries supported the provision that blocks the new rules. Top figures at both the Independent Pilots Association (IPA) and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) have voiced clear concern.
According to Mark Rogers, who spoke for ALPA, “unless this issue is addressed we’ll continue to see accidents and we’ll continue to see fatalities.” IPA President Robert Travis said the existing international standard on lithium batteries is “generally recognized as inadequate.” Last year, a UPS plane crashed near Dubai, killing both pilots. It was on fire as it came down and was carrying thousands of lithium batteries. The cause of that crash has not yet been determined. Five years ago, a UPS aircraft made an emergency landing in Philadelphia after a fire broke out onboard. The source of the fire was not determined. Generally speaking, the batteries won’t catch fire unless they are damaged, improperly packaged, or exposed to very high temperatures. If they do catch fire, they can produce temperatures of more than 1,100 degrees. Lithium-metal batteries can burn at temperatures close to 4,000 degrees. According to CBS news, the rechargeable battery industry says new rules would cost more than $1 billion in the first year due to changes in employee training, paperwork and packaging.
