IndiGo scare: When do power banks catch fire?, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• An IndiGo flight bound for Chennai made an emergency landing in Hyderabad after a passenger's power bank caught fire mid-air, filling the cabin with smoke.
• The incident highlights safety concerns regarding power banks, which typically contain high-energy-density lithium-ion or lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) battery cells prone to overheating and combustion.
• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory in November 2025, prohibiting the use or charging of power banks during flights and their storage in overhead bins.
• International regulations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), effective March 27, 2026, limit passengers to two power banks (each ≤100 Wh) in carry-on baggage, with no in-flight recharging.

Detailed Insights:

• Power bank fires are often attributed to low-quality, poorly manufactured, or recycled battery cells, manufacturing defects, internal leakages, or mechanical vibrations causing short circuits.
• User habits like overcharging, exposing devices to high temperatures, or using damaged power banks significantly increase fire risks.
• Global incidents include a June 2024 power bank explosion on an Air Arabia flight and a March 2025 fire that severely damaged a South Korean aircraft.
• Power banks are prohibited in checked-in baggage across most airlines due to the difficulty of accessing and containing a fire in the cargo hold.
• Keeping power banks in cabin baggage ensures immediate detection and containment by crew members if an incident occurs.
• The DGCA advisory also mandates that power banks remain accessible, ideally under the seat, rather than in overhead bins, to facilitate quick response to any signs of overheating or smoke.
• Passengers are advised to maintain power bank charge at around 80% and prioritize devices with good cell quality, warranty, and inbuilt safety features like overcharge protection.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Lithium-ion Battery: A type of rechargeable battery where lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge and back when charging.
• Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO): A common cathode material used in lithium-ion batteries, known for its high energy density, making it suitable for portable electronics.
• Thermal Runaway: A dangerous condition in batteries where an increase in temperature triggers a self-sustaining chain reaction, causing further temperature escalation, potentially leading to fire or explosion.