Dear Madam/Sir,
Please find attached hereto an EASA Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) which has already been posted on
our web site and can be viewed at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2017-01 .
EASA ADs and other Safety Publications are available online at http://ad.easa.europa.eu
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European Aviation Safety Agency.
EASA SIB No.: 2017-01
Safety Information Bulletin
Operations
SIB No.: 2017-01
Issued: 09 February 2017
Subject: Safety Precautions regarding the Transport by Air of Damaged,
Defective or Recalled Lithium Batteries
This SIB replaces EASA SIB 2016-14R1, dated 13 October 2016, which is withdrawn.
Ref. Publications:
- EASA SIB 2009-22R1;
- EASA SIB 2016-14R1;
- Commission Regulation (EU) No. 965/2012 of 05 October 2012 (hereafter referred to as the Air
Operations regulation);
- International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Document 9284, ‘Technical Instructions for the
Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air’ (hereafter referred to as the ICAO Technical
Instructions);
- ICAO Document 9481, ‘Emergency Response Guidance for Aircraft Incidents Involving Dangerous
Goods’;
- UN Manual of Tests and Criteria;
- FAA SAFO 16011, ‘Air Transport Restrictions for Recalled Lithium Batteries and Lithium Battery
Powered Devices’;
- US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Safety Advisory Notice
2016-18;
- Emergency Order No. FAA-2016-9288, issued 09 January 2017.
Applicability:
Aircraft operators.
Description:
In September 2016, the Agency took note of the reported incidents concerning Samsung Galaxy
Note 7 devices, which led the manufacturer to establish a recall12 and voluntary exchange
programmes3, and consequently EASA published SIB 2016-13.
The Agency published SIB 2016-14 to replace SIB 2016-13. EASA SIB 2016-14 addressed the safety
risks associated with the transportation by air of Galaxy Note 7 devices and further extended its
scope to any other lithium cells, batteries or portable electronic devices (PEDs) which are
damaged, defective or recalled.
1
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Samsung-Recalls-Galaxy-Note7-Smartphones/
2
http://globalrecalls.oecd.org/display.ashx?id=b9366226-d859-44be-a33d-501de8e44b36&tid=fc24d25f-0ccc-5902-
9883-10065b053cda
3
http://www.samsung.com/uk/note7exchange/
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
TE.CAP.00117-005 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Page 1 of 3
Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.
An agency of the European Union
EASA SIB No.: 2017-01
The Agency, following a declaration from Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd that “the affected devices
can overheat and pose a safety risk” 4, and the company’s consequent decision on 10 October
2016 to suspend global sales and exchanges5 of Galaxy Note 7, published SIB 2016-14R1 to inform
aircraft operators about such decision and to advise that the precautions mentioned in the SIB
apply to all Galaxy Note 7 devices, irrespective of whether they were subject or not to
replacement by the manufacturer.
Since the publication of the first SIB on this issue, the Agency received regular updates from
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd on the efforts to recall the device. The company reported to EASA a
93% recall rate in Europe by 9 December 2016. By 2 February 2017, the recall rate reached 94% in
Europe and 96,5% worldwide. On 15 December 2016 the company also informed of the release of
an automatic and mandatory software update that would prevent Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices
from charging more than 30%6. On a more recent notification to EASA on 30 January 2017 the
company confirmed that, as from the following day, they would release a new software update
that would prevent the device from charging and would eliminate their ability to work as mobile
devices7. The Agency has also noted that there are no recent reports of fire related incidents or
accidents involving these devices on board of the aircraft.
This SIB therefore withdraws EASA SIB 2016-14R1, focussing on Samsung Note 7, and instead
provides general recommendations to the operators regarding the transport by air of damaged,
defective or recalled lithium batteries.
Recommendations:
Considering the above mentioned information, the European Aviation Safety Agency recommends
that operators:
Make information available to crews, passengers and staff processing passengers about any
restrictions and limitations to carry on board an aircraft damaged, defective or recalled
lithium batteries or devices;
If a damaged, defective or recalled battery or device is noticed to have been carried
inadvertently on board an aircraft, require the passenger concerned to keep the battery or
device turned off, protect it from accidental activation (also disabling any features that may
turn it on), keep it on the person, and not charge it at any time;
Remind passengers of the need to immediately inform the cabin crew when a device is
damaged, hot, produces smoke, is lost, or falls into the seat structure;
Ensure that staff responsible for cargo acceptance and processing is fully aware that damaged,
recalled or potentially hazardous lithium batteries, including those contained in equipment
and/or shipped with equipment, are forbidden to be transported by aircraft as cargo.
4
http://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/
5
https://news.samsung.com/us/2016/10/10/official-statement-global-stop-sale-and-exchange-of-galaxy-note7/
6
http://www.samsung.com/uk/note7exchange/
7
http://www.samsung.com/uk/note7exchange/
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
TE.CAP.00117-005 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Page 2 of 3
Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.
An agency of the European Union
EASA SIB No.: 2017-01
Further information on the safe transportation by passengers of lithium batteries is available on
EASA’s Dangerous Goods page.
Contact:
For further information contact the EASA Safety Information Section.
E-mail:
[email protected].
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
TE.CAP.00117-005 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Page 3 of 3
Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.
An agency of the European Union