Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 142; Flight Crew Total 5006; Flight Crew Type 1759
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation
General Maintenance Action; General Work Refused
Human Factors
During preflight departure checks. Flight attendant informed the Captain that a passenger's cell phone was accidentally dropped in the sidewall next to a window seat. Maintenance was unable to retrieve the dropped cell phone. According to the maintenance MEL the item/issue could be deferred. However; most cell phones contain some type of lithium ion batteries which have been known to cause a fire hazard in certain atmospheric conditions/environments. Operating a Class II NAV/ETOPS flight with no immediate diversion options should a fire situation arise presented a situation the Captain was not comfortable with. Therefore; the decision to declare 'Unable to Operate' was made; and I as the First Officer fully supported.
B757 First Officer reported passenger Lithium Ion Battery powered cell phone dropped in sidewall of passenger cabin.