No Aircraft
No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy
After watching a video of a 'hover board' catching fire; I have become extremely concerned that our Company policy regarding carrying such devices in the cabin will lead to a disastrous event! I am told that our current Company policy is to consider them like cell phones. However; an electric wheel chair has the battery disconnected and put in our cargo bays. Over the last month; I have seen several of these 'hover boards' onboard. They are generally stored in the overhead compartments. My suggestion is that our Company change its policy so that these devices may only be carried in the cabin if the battery is disconnected. The rationale is simple. A reason for the fires is the motor overheats and catches fire. Once on fire; the batteries catch on fire and thermal discharge creating an extremely hot and out of control fire; one that I question could be extinguished before it would cause serious damage to the aircraft; and cause serious injury to passengers. Being stored in the overhead; near critical equipment (oxygen); gives me great concern after seeing videos of what happens to these devices. They are not like cell phones. Cell phones do not have motors that could get turned on or activated causing an overheat situation. These devices are no different than carrying powered chairs or wheel chairs. Here is a possible scenario. Passengers store 'hover boards' in overhead. Either due to the arranging or re-arranging of luggage and such in the overhead; the 'hover board' gets turned on; or perhaps the owner fails to turn it off. While in the overhead; one of the drive motors becomes engaged or activated. Whether because the motor remains on and engaged in a confined; unventilated space for an extended period of time; or because it is trying to turn jammed wheels; an overheat situation is likely. If that overheat leads to a fire; the fire could be fed by surrounding combustibles. If the fire gets to the batteries; a thermal runaway and intense fire occurs; lighting the entire overhead on fire. The intense heat could reach our oxygen system and results in an uncontrollable cabin fire. A complete aircraft loss and loss of life is highly possible! Currently; Pilots and Flight Attendants are virtually unaware and unprepared for such an event. My concern is that our current policy is not consistent with our high safety standard and concern. I propose; as a minimum; 'hover boards' not be allowed on the aircraft unless the battery is disconnected prior to boarding.
Air carrier Flight Attendant expressed concern that current procedures related to hover boards may not be sufficient to prevent a serious in-flight fire.