New regulations limiting–and in some cases prohibiting–the transport of certain types of batteries on passenger aircraft are directed at the airlines, but business jet operators throughout the U.S. are addressing the issue with similar policies and recommendations following an increase in the number of aviation incidents involving overheated batteries and battery-powered devices. FAA data shows that between March 1991 and December 2007, there were 88 documented incidents on aircraft and in airport terminals.
The DOT rule, effective January 1, prohibits airline passengers from carrying in their checked baggage spare, loose batteries of any sort–including AA, AAA, C and D cell alkaline batteries used in common household items. Passengers may transport batteries in their checked baggage only if the batteries are inserted into an electrical device, such as a camera, game device or video recorder. A spokesman for the DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) explained that spare batteries are no longer permitted in checked baggage because crew-members cannot access the cargo hold in flight. “We want to make sure if there’s an incident, it can be attended to by safety personnel who have been trained. So having things in carry-on luggage, in the overhead, is the safest way to go.”
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