Federal Aviation wants to ban laptops in baggage

NEW YORK, U.S. - In a paper filed recently with a U.N. agency, the Federal Aviation Administration has proposed to ban large, personal electronic devices from checked luggage.

In the paper, the FAA highlights that electronic devices like laptops have the potential for a catastrophic fire and therefore the U.S. government is urging the world airline community to ban the devices.

FAA said that its tests show that when a laptop's rechargeable lithium-ion battery overheats in close proximity to an aerosol spray can, it can cause an explosion capable of disabling an airliner's fire suppression system. 

The paper stated that the fire could then rage unchecked, leading to "the loss of the aircraft.”

The International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN agency sets global aviation safety standards, although member countries must still ratify them. 

According to reports, the proposed ban is on the agenda of a meeting of ICAO's panel on dangerous goods scheduled to be held this week and next week in Montreal.

So far, the FAA said that it has conducted 10 tests involving a fully-charged laptop packed in a suitcase. 

Then, FAA placed a heater against the laptop's battery to force it into "thermal runaway," a condition in which the battery's temperature continually rises.

It said in its paper that in one test, an 8-ounce aerosol can of dry shampoo — which is permitted in checked baggage — was strapped to the laptop.

It said that there was a fire almost immediately and it grew rapidly - adding that the aerosol can be exploded within 40 seconds.

The FAA further added that the test showed that because of the rapid progression of the fire, Halon gas fire suppressant systems used in airline cargo compartments would be unable to put out the fire before there was an explosion. 

The agency further added that while the explosion might not be strong enough to structurally damage the plane, it could damage the cargo compartment and allow the Halon to escape. 

If that happens, then there would be nothing to prevent the fire from spreading.

FAA said in its paper that other tests of laptop batteries packed with potentially dangerous consumer goods that are permitted in checked baggage also resulted in large fires, although there were no explosions.

These potentially dangerous consumer goods that are permitted include nail polish remover, hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol.

The agency concluded that as a result of the test, passengers shouldn't be allowed to pack large electronic devices in baggage unless they have specific approval from the airline. 

The paper pointed out that the European Safety Agency, the FAA's counterpart in Europe; Airbus, one of the world's largest makers of passenger airliners; the International Federation of Airline Pilots' Association, and the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Association, which represents aircraft makers, concurred in the recommendation.

Reports pointed out that since 2006, three cargo jets have been destroyed and four pilots killed by in-flight fires.

Investigators have said that they were either started by batteries or made more severe by their proximity.

The FAA said in the document, "We believe that it would be difficult for passengers to understand and correctly meet requirements that vary based on the specific content of their checked baggage. Complexity increases the likelihood of non-compliance and continued presence of the risk."