Batteries blamed in Boeing 787 grounding are widely used

Lithium-ion batteries are suppose to be the latest high storage batteries that are widely available in the aviation industry however it's extremely flammable even though it's more lighter yet more energy dense and cost several times as much than the traditional batteries. However the use of these type of batteries seems questionable after all these incident of fires caused by the combustion associated with these fatalities. They probably should have waited longer considering all the recent accidents with possible defects and potential safety issues.

NovenachamaJan. 17, 2013 - 07:32PM JST

However the use of these type of batteries seems questionable after all these incident of fires caused by the combustion associated with these fatalities.

There are no deaths associated with the use of lithium batteries in aviation. To say that these specific batteries have caused any harm is irresponsible and downright incorrect. Other battery types have caused fatal failures, but not the lithium ion batteries used in the 787.

However the use of these type of batteries seems questionable after all these incident of fires caused by the combustion associated with these fatalities.

Got to agree with Basroil on this one. There have been no fatalities due to the batteries used in the 787. You can't use fatalities caused by other LIon batteries, because each battery model is designed differently and the cause of those fires could be attributed to poorly designed thermal protection circuits rather than the actual LIon electrolyte.

FadamorJan. 17, 2013 - 10:57PM JST

There have been no fatalities due to the batteries used in the 787.

Actually none due to any aircraft lithium ion batteries. Only crash I can find involved an UPS aircraft with lithium batteries as cargo.

I think the 787 is the first to use large-capacity LIon batteries as part of the aircraft's construction. The only other instances I've read about are smaller batteries used with the aircraft emergency lighting system.

Gentlemen, I must apologize for using a poor choice of the word fatality. I did not mean a disaster resulting in death. What I meant was a predetermined liability to accident. A better synonym. should have been used. Well, many words in English has multiple meanings that does make it difficult. Not only does English has a vast number of synonyms but many single words have different meanings that can vary widely. Thank you.

FadamorJan. 18, 2013 - 03:44AM JST

I think the 787 is the first to use large-capacity LIon batteries as part of the aircraft's construction. The only other instances I've read about are smaller batteries used with the aircraft emergency lighting system.

Cessna Citation CJ4 also has mainship battery, and was technically the first with it. Cessna's are small and much more likely to fail than commercial planes, and still no issues.