Lithium Battery Air Incidents Involving Smoke, Fire or Extreme Heat

Note: These are lithium battery related events involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat that the FAA is aware of and should not be considered a complete listing of all such incidents. The methods of collecting and recording these incidents and the data involved has changed over the life span of this chart as the FAA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has evolved.  The incident summaries included here are intended to be brief and objective. They do not represent all information the FAA has collected, nor do they include all investigative or enforcement action taken. This chart was last updated on February 15, 2024.

Check the Box Resources: Available in Chinese and Spanish!

Every year, approximately 1,500 transportation incidents occur when hazardous materials are shipped undeclared. Since 2019, PHMSA's Check the Box campaign has helped the public understand the risks of undeclared hazmat, and how to ship these products safely.

You can find direct links to these resources in PHMSA's most recent "Hazardous Matters" newsletter or by clicking here.

Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) 'CALLBACK' Newsletter Highlights

Aviation Do-Overs

This month, CALLBACK looks at incidents in which operators likely have wished some actions or decisions were rescindable and could be done over. Examine the human and other contributing factors in each undesirable situation. Extrapolate what could have resulted, and humbly savor the lessons, which might feel closer to home than we all would like to admit.

Read the full newsletter from ASRS here.

Snap Recalls Lithium-Ion Battery Sold for Pixy Flying Cameras Due to Fire Hazard

"This recall involves the rechargeable lithium-ion battery sold with the pocket-sized Pixy Flying Camera. The battery was sold separately and paired with the Pixy, which takes pictures and videos and measures about five inches long by four inches wide. The Pixy and battery are both yellow in color. The battery measures about three inches long and half of an inch wide."

Click here for more information.

VPR Brands Recalls Lighters 

The recall has been issued "due to missing child safety Feature, posing burn and fire hazards; violation of the federal regulation for cigarette lighters

This recall involves Slim Soft and Slim Jet disposable lighters imported by VPR Brands. The products have “DISSIM” imprinted on one side and are 3.5 inches by 1 inch in size. They were sold in black, blue, clear, gray, red, white, and yellow colors, and have a molded circular grip at the bottom."

Click here for more information.

BISSELL Recalls Multi Reach Hand and Floor Vacuum Cleaners Due to Fire Hazard

"This recall involves BISSELL Multi Reach Hand and Floor Vacuum Cleaners models 1985, 19851 (also called Multi Auto), 19859, 1985T, 2151, 21512, 21513, 21517, 21518, 21519, 2151A, 2151T, 2151W, 2151V. “Multi Reach” is printed on the hand vacuum portion of the product. The vacuum cleaners were sold in a variety of colors. The model numbers are printed on the product rating label located behind the dirt tank.

Note: Recalled lithium-ion batteries should be disposed of in accordance with any local and state ordinances, following the procedures established by your municipal recycling center for damaged/defective/recalled lithium batteries, because these potentially hazardous batteries must be handled differently than other batteries. Do not throw this recalled battery in the trash. Do not deposit this recalled battery in used battery recycling boxes found at various retail and home improvement stores."

Click here for more information.