NTSB Issues Recommendation A-14-034 to FAA on Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Guidance

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued Recurrent Recommendation A-14-034, designated under reference number DCA13IA037, directed to the Federal Aviation Administration. This recommendation calls for the FAA to engage with lithium-ion battery technology experts from government entities and test standards organizations, including US national laboratories. The goal is to develop comprehensive guidance on acceptable methods to induce thermal runaway that most reliably simulate cell internal short-circuiting hazards. These guidelines must address safety risks at the cell, battery, and aircraft levels to ensure accurate simulation of potential failure modes in aviation contexts.