ATSB comment Similar occurrences The ATSB has received 17 notifications of similar incidents of lithium battery thermal events in aircraft over the past 6 years. The ATSB investigation details an example where a short circuit between lithium batteries initiated a fire in an aircraft cargo hold. Safety message This incident provides an excellent example of an effective response to an emergency situation. The crew were able to quickly implement the basic fire drill procedure which defined the roles and responsibilities of the responding crew. This enabled a rapid and coordinated response to the smoke event using all available resources. The effective implementation of this procedure also ensured the flight crew were kept informed as the situation developed. This incident also highlights the hazards of transporting lithium-ion battery powered PEDs. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority web page and pamphlet provide information on the safe carriage of lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion powered devices aboard aircraft. General details Occurrence details Date and time: 16 May 2016 1535 UTC – Occurrence category: Serious incident Primary occurrence type: Smoke event Location: 1,500 km WSW of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, United States Latitude: Longitude: 28° 59.48’ N 111° 36.39’ W Aircraft details Manufacturer and model: Airbus A380 Registration: VH-OQD Operator: Qantas Airways Serial number: 0026 Type of operation: Air transport high capacity Passenger – Persons on board: Crew 24 Passengers Unknown – – Injuries: Crew 0 Passengers 0 – – Aircraft damage: Nil
ATSB comment Similar occurrences The ATSB has received 17 notifications of similar incidents of lithium battery thermal events in aircraft over the past 6 years. The ATSB investigation details an example where a short circuit between lithium batteries initiated a fire in an aircraft cargo hold. Safety message This incident provides an excellent example of an effective response to an emergency situation. The crew were able to quickly implement the basic fire drill procedure which defined the roles and responsibilities of the responding crew. This enabled a rapid and coordinated response to the smoke event using all available resources. The effective implementation of this procedure also ensured the flight crew were kept informed as the situation developed. This incident also highlights the hazards of transporting lithium-ion battery powered PEDs. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority web page and pamphlet provide information on the safe carriage of lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion powered devices aboard aircraft. General details Occurrence details Date and time: 16 May 2016 – 1535 UTC Occurrence category: Serious incident Primary occurrence type: Smoke event Location: 1,500 km WSW of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, United States Latitude: 28° 59.48’ N Longitude: 111° 36.39’ W Aircraft details Manufacturer and model: Airbus A380 Registration: VH-OQD Operator: Qantas Airways Serial number: 0026 Type of operation: Air transport high capacity – Passenger Persons on board: Crew – 24 Passengers – Unknown Injuries: Crew – 0 Passengers – 0 Aircraft damage: Nil
ab-2016-088-aviation-short-investigation-bulletin-issue-50.docx