U.S. safety board wants to strengthen air transport rules for prototype lithium batteries (updated)

Braille Energy Systems

08/06/2020 17:17

(Adds comment from PHMSA, background)
    By David Shepardson
    WASHINGTON, June 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Monday urged strengthening
air cargo shipping requirements for prototype and low-production
lithium-ion batteries after a 2016 FedEx  FDX.N  delivery truck
fire in Canada.
    NTSB official Robert J. Hall said existing rules pose a
"danger to all those involved in the transportation of these
batteries, on the ground and in the air."
    Four large custom-made batteries produced by Braille Battery
were transported by FedEx Corp  FDX.N  from Tampa to
Indianapolis and then on to Toronto, Ontario. The batteries
ignited about 10 hours after being offloaded at the Toronto
airport.
    The NTSB said the batteries may have qualified for an
exemption in international shipping standards that allows for
air transport of "prototype" or "low-production" batteries
without passing some safety tests, and urged U.S. regulators to
remove the exemption.
    The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, which regulates transportation of potentially
dangerous products, said it "will review the recommendations and
respond appropriately."
    FedEx did not immediately comment. NTSB said if the fire
"occurred on an airplane, the event could have resulted in
significant damage to or the loss of the airplane."
    NTSB wants the International Civil Aviation Organization to
eliminating exceptions to testing before transport.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a $1.1
million civil penalty against Braille Battery in 2017 for
allegedly violating the Hazardous Materials Regulations. The
NTSB said Braille failed to comply with federal regulations and
international standards but said the incident raised concerns
about the special rules.
    The FAA prohibited Braille from shipping lithium batteries
by air for two years but rescinded the order in July 2018 after
determining Braille was complying with regulations. Braille's
parent Braille Energy Systems Inc  BES.V  did not immediately
comment.
    The NTSB said the penalty was later reduced to $235,000,
which Braille is required to pay by September 2021.

 (Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis and
Tom Brown)
 ((David.Shepardson@thomsonreuters.com; 2028988324;))