Two major U.S airlines say they will no longer accept rechargeable battery shipments as new government tests confirm explosions and violent fires are likely to occur when large numbers of batteries enclosed in cargo containers overheat.
Tests conducted last month by the Federal Aviation Administration show that rechargeable lithium-ion batteries consistently emit explosive gases when they overheat or short-circuit. In the recent tests, as well as other FAA tests last year, the buildup of gases — primarily hydrogen — led to fierce explosions.
An FAA video of one of the tests obtained by The Associated Press shows an explosion knocking a cargo container door off its hinges and tossing boxes of batteries into the air. The container was engulfed in fire minutes later.
Citing safety concerns, United Airlines on Monday informed its cargo customers it will no longer accept bulk shipments of the batteries. Delta Air Lines quietly stopped accepting bulk shipments of the rechargeable batteries Feb. 1.
