FAA Issues Safety Alert on Lithium Battery Risks
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a safety alert warning about the fire hazards linked to lithium batteries. This notice was made public on Tuesday, raising concerns over uncontrolled fire risks.
While spare lithium batteries are typically banned in checked luggage, even those in carry-on bags can behave unpredictably and potentially endanger passengers and crew.
Lithium batteries are commonly found in devices such as mobile phones, laptops, portable chargers, hearing aids, and others. These can sometimes malfunction, causing what are known as “thermal runaway events,” where pressure and temperature spike dramatically, leading to fires on board.
The FAA pointed out that this risk intensifies when the battery’s condition goes unnoticed.
Batteries stored in overhead bins and carry-on luggage may not be easily monitored by passengers or crew, which can delay detection of thermal runaways and the response to potential fires, thereby heightening safety concerns.
In light of this, the FAA is recommending that airlines revise existing fire response protocols, emphasizing the need for significant water use to cool down affected batteries and control flames.
While Halon fire extinguishers can temporarily suppress flames, they don’t effectively halt the rapid energy release associated with these thermal runaway incidents.
According to the alert, cooling the device with water is crucial to prevent the reaction from escalating until all energy cells are depleted.
Airlines are also encouraged to provide guidance to passengers on how to properly handle and store lithium batteries.
This alert comes on the heels of a noted rise in safety incidents related to lithium batteries. The FAA has recorded an increase in such events over recent years. By early September 2025, there were 50 verified incidents, with seven cases still under review.
In detail, there were 89 reported incidents in 2024, compared to 77 in 2023 and 75 in 2022. The data from March 2006 to August 2025 indicates 648 confirmed incidents involving lithium batteries, with 252 arising from battery failures. Of these, 138 incidents were linked to e-cigarettes or vaping devices.
