Lithium Battery Safety Resources

Lithium Batteries: What's the risk?

Lithium batteries are in products we use every day and can be dangerous on aircraft if not packed or shipped properly. This video was created for passengers, air carrier employees, gate agents, shippers, and consumers to reduce the risk of fire on an aircraft, especially in the cabin and flight deck by educating about the risk posed by lithium batteries.

Damaged or Recalled Batteries and Battery-Powered Devices

Damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat, must not be carried aboard an aircraft (e.g. carry-on or checked baggage) unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed or otherwise made safe. The airline may offer further public guidance on transporting individual recalled products.

For additional information on recalls, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission, manufacturer, or vendor website.

FAA Tech Center Lithium Battery Testing Videos

• Lithium Ion batteries in a ULD (WMV)
• Laptop and aerosol in a luggage (WMV)
• PED and aerosol in a luggage in a cargo compartment (WMV)
• Galley with computers (WMV)
• Luggage test (WMV)

FAA Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs) and Information for Operators (InFOs)

• FAA Safety Alert for Operators – e-cigarettes in checked baggage
  (15003) (PDF)
• FAA Safety Alert for Operators – Carriage of Spare Lithium Batteries in Carry-on and checked luggage (15010) (PDF)
• FAA Safety Alert for Operators (09013): Fighting Fires Caused by Portable Electronic Devices (PDF)
• FAA Safety Alert (10017): Risks in Transporting Lithium Batteries in Cargo Aircraft (PDF)
• FAA Safety Alert (16001): Risks of Fire and Explosion when Transporting Lithium Ion or Lithium Metal Batteries as Cargo on Passenger and Cargo Aircraft (PDF) or FAA Safety Alert (16004): New ICAO Regulatory Requirements for Shipping and Transporting Lithium Batteries (PDF)
• FAA Safety Alert (16011): Air Transport Restrictions for Recalled Lithium Batteries and Lithium Battery-Powered Devices (PDF)
• FAA Safety Alert (16012): Lithium Ion Battery Shipments from Braille Battery, Inc (PDF)
• FAA Information for Operators (17008) – Transportation of Portable Electronic Devices (PED) in Checked Baggage (PDF)

International Safety Documents

• ICAO e-cigarette electronic bulletin
• ICAO Bulletin – Dangerous Good Carried by Passenger and Crew, Small Lithium Battery Powered Personal Transportation Devices Including Hoverboards (PDF)
• European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Safety Bulletin – Fire Risk of Electronic Cigarettes in Checked Baggages

Misc. Safety Documents

• PHMSA Battery Guide for Shippers (PDF)
• PHMSA UN 38.3 Lithium Battery Test Summaries
• 2022 IATA Lithium Battery Guidance
• Lithium Battery Incidents
• DOT Hoverboard Safety Alert 12/24/2015 (PDF)
• NTSB Safety Recommendations (A-16-001-002) to Prevent Cargo Fires (PDF)
• U.S. Fire Administration: Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions (PDF)
• SAE International, G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance
  SAE G-27, Lithium Battery Packaging, is a technical committee in SAE's General Projects Systems Group with the responsibility for the development and maintenance of minimum performance package standards that support the safe shipment of lithium batteries as cargo on aircraft.