
According to a report released on September 8 by the non-profit organization UL Standards & Engagement, the number of battery thermal runaway incidents on aircraft is at its highest point in five years, with e-cigarette devices accounting for 35% of reported incidents and becoming the main source of risk.
The report, titled "The Lithium-Ion Battery Incident and Its Impact on Aviation Safety," is based on data from ULSE's independently developed Thermal Runaway Incident Program (TRIP) and includes voluntary reports from 35 passenger and cargo airlines. The report emphasizes the risks of devices such as e-cigarettes and portable power sources being frequently carried on aircraft, especially as handling such issues in flight becomes more challenging. The release of the report aims to increase awareness among the public, airlines, and the e-cigarette industry about lithium-ion battery safety issues, and to drive the industry to strengthen battery safety standards, passenger education, and crew response training in order to reduce the occurrence of future accidents.
According to a report, in 2023, 85% of battery thermal runaway incidents occurred when the batteries displayed warning signals such as overheating and smoking, but did not progress to full thermal runaway. While only 15% of these incidents resulted in fires or explosions, the rapid development of thermal runaway events indicates that most incidents have the potential to escalate if not addressed promptly.
In addition, placing rechargeable devices in checked luggage is also a common occurrence in airplane battery thermal runaway incidents, with over 27% of travelers reporting checking in mobile chargers and another 27% checking in e-cigarettes.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com