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APRIL 2024
“Hazmat Highlights” is the FAA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety monthly newsletter with public updates from government sources related to the safe transportation of hazardous materials by air.
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FAA Requires Aviation Organizations to Detect, Address Safety Risks Early
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing new requirements for charter airlines, commuter airlines, air tour operators, and certain aircraft manufacturers to implement a Safety Management System (SMS).
SMS provides a means for a structured, repeatable, systematic approach to proactively identify hazards and manage safety risk. By incorporating SMS, these aviation organizations will be better able to develop and implement mitigations that are appropriate to their specific environment and operations.
The FAA’s final rule mandates that these organizations develop a SMS within one to three years, depending on the operation. The FAA has required U.S. airlines to have SMS since 2018, and some manufacturers already developed and implemented SMS, which the FAA accepted.
“Requiring more aviation organizations to implement a proactive approach to managing safety will prevent accidents and save lives,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said.
The rule also requires those who have an SMS to share hazard information with other aviation organizations so they can work collaboratively to identify and address potential safety issues.
The final rule goes beyond the requirements of the Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act of 2020, which directed the FAA to mandate SMS only for aircraft manufacturers. The rule also addresses recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and independent review panels.
Read the final rule.
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When Things Go Wrong: Looking Back 25 Years This Week
On April 28, 1999, a fire destroyed freight, including lithium batteries, on two aircraft cargo pallets at the Northwest Airlines cargo facility at Los Angeles International Airport. The pallets had been taken off an inbound passenger-carrying flight from Osaka, Japan.
Probable Cause: Damaged lithium batteries.
Result: The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of this incident revealed that lithium batteries likely present a serious fire hazard to air transportation requiring immediate attention.
Visit When Things Go Wrong and read a timeline of some of the more notable aviation incidents and accidents in which dangerous goods were onboard the aircraft.
Review the Hazardous Materials; Prohibition on the Transportation of Primary Lithium Batteries and Cells Aboard Passenger Aircraft Rule.
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Going Camping and Traveling by Air?
If you are planning a camping trip and will be traveling by air to your camping destination, check your gear bag for restricted items:
- Camp stove fuel – not allowed
- Bear spray aerosol – not allowed
- Headlamp spare lithium batteries – carry-on bag only
- Lighters – check the PackSafe site for details
For a Safe Start, Check the Chart!
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Damaged or Recalled Batteries and Battery-Powered Devices
Damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat, must not be carried aboard an aircraft (e.g. carry-on or checked baggage) unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed or otherwise made safe. The airline may offer further public guidance on transporting individual recalled products.
For additional information on understanding the risks of damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries see the Department of Transportation’s brochure.
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Undeclared Dangerous Goods
Do you travel by air? Do you own a company that ships consumer products? Do you mail holiday or birthday presents? Do you sell products online on e-commerce sites? Do you handle or accept cargo packages for transportation? If the answer is yes, then it is time for you to determine whether the products that you introduce into transportation are dangerous.
An "undeclared" dangerous good is any shipment where dangerous goods are not identified. In other words, there is no visible indication that the package contains a dangerous material (e.g. missing the required shipping paper/declaration, markings, labels, or other hazard communication).
Read more about undeclared dangerous goods here.
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FAA Proposes $2.9 Million Penalty Against Asia Pacific Airlines for Various Alleged Violations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes five civil penalties totaling $2.9 million against Asia Pacific Airlines of Honolulu, Hawaii.
The cases are as follows:
$2,436,850 for allegedly using unqualified pilots on 163 Boeing 757 flights between Dec. 20, 2022, and Feb. 1, 2023. The FAA notified the company on Dec. 16, 2022, the pilots were unqualified but the company continued to use them.
$250,000 for allegedly operating Boeing 757 aircraft on 121 flights without authority from an individual who was authorized to exercise operational control of those flights. The flights occurred between Dec. 20, 2022, and Feb. 1, 2023.
Read the full article here.
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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 April 17, 2024.
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You can find all prior ACs, SAFOs, InFos, orders and notices by clicking on the links below.
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RECENT NOTICES
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NTSB Statement on FAA Final Rule Requiring Operators and Organizations to Have Safety Management Systems
The National Transportation Safety Board welcomes recent action by the FAA that will require charter airlines, commuter airlines, helicopter emergency medical services, air tours and certain aircraft manufacturers to implement safety management systems (SMS) but more action is needed to protect all passengers.
“Requiring more operators to implement proven strategies to protect the flying public is a positive step for safety, and one the NTSB has long supported,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “I applaud FAA for today’s action, which will go a long way toward protecting flight crews and passengers in our skies. We look forward to working with FAA to address even more of our safety recommendations and, together, make our nation’s stellar aviation safety record even better.”
Read NTSB's full statement here.
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US Department of Labor finds electric vehicle battery maker again exposes workers to serious health hazards after investigation of Commerce fire
Occupational Safety and Health Administration cites SK Battery America for five (5) serious violations and assessed the company $77,200 in proposed penalties, an amount set by federal statute.
Read the full article about SK Battery America here.
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TSA Explosives Detection Canine Retires
Messi, an 8-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever, has had his last run as a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) passenger screening canine at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The dog is ready to trade in his working vest for afternoons lounging on the sofa.
Messi’s claim to fame is that last year he was featured in the free annual downloadable annual TSA canine calendar. He was featured as the dog of the month for February.
Click here to learn more about Messi's career and retirement.
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