AAIB Report: Ikarus C42 FB80 Bravo, G-CICF, on 8 December 2022
Safety Recommendation: 2024-006
Safety Recommendation Text
It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority amends the design and installation requirements for lithium-ion main batteries that are located in the cabin areas of Non-Part 21 aircraft, to minimise the hazard to aircraft occupants following a thermal runaway.
CAA latest update
The CAA has completed an initial review of the Part 21 and non-Part 21 design and installation requirements for lithium-ion main batteries located in cabin areas of general aviation (GA) aircraft.
The initial airworthiness requirements contained in BCAR Section S, CS-VLA, CS-LSA, CS-22, and CS-23 were considered as part of this review. We found that each design code includes requirements to protect occupants from hazardous quantities of explosive or toxic gas emitted by batteries, both in normal operation and following probable malfunctions. Part 21 aircraft fitted with lithium battery installations are held to a higher safety standard and are required to comply with the additional requirements in SC-ELA.2015-01 as well as the requirements in the relevant Certification Specification. We therefore consider Part 21 aircraft to be adequately protected from the risk of a lithium battery fire at this time. However, we recognise that non-Part 21 aircraft fitted with a lithium main battery are at increased risk in this regard and we endeavour to address this.
We will work with the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) and British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) to review and, where necessary, amend their existing standard modifications for fitment of lithium main batteries in place of standard lead-acid batteries to ensure the installations comply with the relevant design and installation requirements.
We will also be reminding organisations holding an A8-1 approval of their responsibility to promulgate safety information (e.g. service bulletins) issued by the aircraft manufacturer to ensure that critical safety information is provided to operators in a timely manner.
Next update due
30 April 2025
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