Undeclared LiPo batteries sparked plane fire at Melbourne airport

[Jumpy07]

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-08/undeclared-batteries-sparked-plane-fire-at-melbourne-airport3a/5728574

[cosmorogers]

That';s why I';ve always been nervous about putting lipos in my peli case, even in the car! I always keep them in their charging bags, in a laptop bag that I can easily chuck out the window should the worse happen!

Also might explain the recent royal mail/caa paranoia regarding posting lipos, especially abroad!

[DarrenG]

And another reason why we all need to be honest when posting them. Another thread had some comments suggesting you blatantly lie when asked if a package contained a battery, that';s not something we should be condoning is it?

[Friskle]

Certainly not condoning, but, I have posted items that contain batteries on a number of occasions, and as yet, I have never been asked, considering its RM`s policy, it';s up to them to ask you, the only thing I have ever been asked is, what value is in it.

Also, bare in mind, that many of "us" posting is usually within the UK, and to be fair, what has the OP have to do with us posting packages ?

Considering the subject matter is concerning lipid packed in someone';s luggage, not being posted.

[guest2350]

I get asked what`s in my parcel every time I go to the post office now, I there at least once a week too. So tempted to say its something explosive to see their reaction but best not I think.

[dirtyharry]

Just in case anyone was wondering, you can';t put model lipos in the luggage hold . Needs to be hand carried and the ends taped or plugged. Took mine to spain in a lipo bag with no issues.
I';ve got the BA advice somewhere on my PC but this FAA link is about the same.

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/faa_airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

[Hands0n]

Back on topic - I cannot speak for the Australian CAA but the UK CAA has a very clear policy on what energy capacity LiPo can be taken.  Also that policy determines that the LiPo must be carried in cabin baggage.  It is forbidden to place them in hold luggage.

This year I took my Hammer 250 mini H quad to Corfu with me and the permitted LiPo equated to one 1500mAh and one 1800mAh.  I took one pair and the Mrs took the other pair so I had four batteries to play with.

It took all of five minutes on Google to find the UK CAA';s rules: http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=2200&pageid=14501

[nub]

so what actually happened, are they trying to say the heat made them go on fire?

wonder what kind of heat it would it take for that to happen.

[Friskle]

The temp needed to make the lipos go up , would relatively mean the plane would be already on fire.

Take a batt more than one cell, puncture one and watch it go, the cell next door won';t always go up,, odd times yes, but not always, usually it';s at the just past red to white hot before another cell ignites.

Going from past experience beating them and puncturing them to death, I would say they couldn';t have been in good condition in the first place.

[nub]

exactly, i thought it was a bit of silly thing to say, its more like the way he';s packed them, something has caused a short.

lucky it happened on the ground though and not in the air