Fedex DC10 at Toronto on Jun 2nd 2016, large LiOn batteries ignited after unloading
Last Update: June 8, 2020 / 16:05:13 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jun 2, 2016
Classification
Report
Airline
Fedex
Departure
Indianaopolis, United States
Destination
Toronto, Canada
Aircraft Registration
N320FE
Aircraft Type
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
ICAO Type Designator
DC10
On Jun 8th 2020 the NTSB released their final report stating: "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notified the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the accident over concerns that the fire could also occur during air transport." and concluding the probable cause was:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the fire on a FedEx delivery truck in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, on June 3, 2016, was an electrical short circuit between the battery terminal bolt and the upper cells of the lithium-ion battery module, causing a thermal runaway within the battery, igniting the battery and its packaging. Contributing to the electrical short circuit was Braille Battery, Inc.’s design that did not protect against short circuiting. Also contributing to the consequences of the accident was Braille Battery, Inc.’s use of combustible packing materials.
The NTSB wrote in their media release of Jun 8th 2020 calling for changes in the policy of air transport of LiOn batteries on cargo aircraft:
WASHINGTON (June 8, 2020) ¯ The National Transportation Safety Board Monday called for a change in air cargo shipping requirements for some types of lithium-ion batteries.
The safety recommendations follow an investigation into the shipment of lithium-ion batteries that ignited while in transport on a delivery truck in Canada.
“Through international cooperation with Canadian authorities, we’ve uncovered a safety gap in how certain lithium-ion batteries are allowed to be transported,” said Robert J. Hall, Director of the NTSB Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations. “The current situation presents a danger to all those involved in the transportation of these batteries, on the ground and in the air.”
On June 2, 2016, four large custom-made batteries had been accepted for shipment by FedEx from the manufacturer, Braille Battery, in Sarasota, Florida. After FedEx subjected the batteries to its dangerous goods acceptance process, it transported them on its airplanes from Tampa, Florida, to Indianapolis, Indiana, and then on to Toronto, Ontario.
The batteries ignited about 10 hours after being offloaded at the Toronto airport. The resulting fire destroyed the FedEx delivery truck and its contents.
The investigation revealed that the batteries were not properly designed and packaged for shipment by the manufacturer, which resulted in damage to the cells, a short circuit, and thermal runaway that led to the fire.
The NTSB said the batteries may have qualified for an exemption in international shipping standards that allows for the air transport of “prototype” or “low-production” batteries without passing safety tests required of other lithium-ion batteries. Braille Battery did not apply for the exemption, and they failed to produce any documentation showing the battery design had undergone safety tests. The NTSB determined had such tests been conducted they would likely have created the conditions that caused the battery to fail and prevented this battery design from being accepted for shipment as air cargo.
NTSB investigators said batteries falling under the exemption may be unsafe if not properly tested and could result in a battery fire while being transported by air, potentially bringing down a cargo airliner.
To address this safety hazard, the NTSB issued two safety recommendations asking the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which regulates the transportation of potentially dangerous products, to remove the exemption.
Aircraft Registration Data
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jun 2, 2016
Classification
Report
Airline
Fedex
Departure
Indianaopolis, United States
Destination
Toronto, Canada
Aircraft Registration
N320FE
Aircraft Type
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
ICAO Type Designator
DC10
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Related articles
Fedex B763 and Southwest B737 at Austin on Feb 4th 2023, loss of separation on runway resolved by go around
A Fedex Federal Express Boeing 767-300, registration N297FE performing flight FX-1432 from Memphis,TN to Austin,TX (USA), was on final for a CATIII…
Fleet type match
Fedex B763 at Istanbul on May 8th 2024, nose gear up landing
A Fedex Federal Express Boeing 767-300 freighter, registration N110FE performing flight FX-6238 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) to Istanbul…
Fleet type match
Fedex A306 at Boise on Mar 28th 2024, radio problems
A Fedex Federal Express Airbus A300-600, registration N690FE performing flight FX-624 from Boise,ID to Memphis,TN (USA), was climbing out of Boise…
Fleet type match
Fedex MD11 at San Juan on Dec 21st 2023, hydraulic failure
A Fedex Federal Express McDonnell Douglas MD-11, registration N592FE performing flight FX-251 from Memphis,TN (USA) to San Juan (Puerto Rico), was…
Fedex B763 at Memphis on Oct 18th 2023, engine fire
A Fedex Federal Express Boeing 767-300, registration N287FE performing flight FX-541 from Memphis,TN to Las Vegas,NV (USA), was climbing out of…
Newest articles
Fleet type match
THY A21N and SunExpress B738 over Skopje on Sep 7th 2024, TCAS at the rescue
A THY Turkish Airlines Airbus A321-200N, registration TC-LPB performing flight TK-1358 from Madrid,SP (Spain) to Istanbul (Turkey), was enroute at…
Fleet type match
KLM Cityhopper E175 at Dublin on Oct 19th 2022, first officer incapacitated
A KLM Cityhopper Embraer ERJ-175, registration PH-EXI performing flight KL-934 from Dublin (Ireland) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), was climbing out of…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways