The FAA is warning owners of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones to keep their devices turned off during flights due to the risk of battery fires. “In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices, the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage,” the agency said in a statement this week. Meanwhile, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is working with Samsung on an official product recall, and the company will ship out new units with improved batteries for users to exchange, according to The Wall Street Journal.
No injuries or fires in aircraft have been reported, but media outlets point to destructive garage and vehicle firesamong the incidents caused by defective lithium ion batteries installed in the Note 7 phone. Reuters reported that three Australian airlines – Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia – have prohibited the phone’s use on board their flights. The FAA, NTSB and agencies worldwide have been concerned about lithium ion batteries on aircraft, either in bulk shipments or in electronic devices. In December, a number of airlines banned hoverboards due to reports of some batteries catching fire.
