IATA Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR)

Case Study: On July 28, 2011, there was a fire in the cargo hold of a B744 flying over Jeju, South Korea. The aircraft crashed into the Korean Strait and the two crew members on-board died. An investigation into the cause of the fire determined that cargo stored on the aircraft caught fire. A total of 2,092 kilograms of the cargo on-board was declared as dangerous goods, loaded near the left cargo door on the main deck. These goods consisted of flammable liquids, corrosive liquids, and lithium-ion batteries, totaling 198 cells rated at 25 ampere hour (Ah) at 3.65 volts (V). All dangerous cargo had been placed onto two pallets and had been loaded without problems, with no observation of damage or leakages. The goods had been previously stored according to regulations. It was impossible to say what caused the fire, other than cargo stored on the aircraft. The instructor exclusively in charge of dangerous goods training stated he had trained all pilots with an emphasis on cargo safety standards for lithium ion batteries and cargo fire procedures.

Key Takeaways: To reduce the risks associated with transporting dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries by aircraft, it is important to make sure crew members are adequately trained to follow the procedures associated with transporting dangerous goods and are familiar with fire safety practices. Dangerous goods should also be properly labelled for transport.