Exploding Headphones Onboard Flight

[Ansett]

Fortunately no major injury or damage as a result, but it begs the question how safe are Headphones? Have there been other incidents?

Safety warning issued after headphones explode on Australian flight | SBS News

 

[NZflygirl]

Sticking to my ipod ear phones thanks!!

 

[opusman]

How safe is anything with a lithium battery in it, more to the point.

 

[Ansett]

How safe is anything with a lithium battery in it, more to the point.

Agreed and the worry is now could this lead to Lithium powered devices being banned?

 

[samh004]

Electrical fire ... bucket of water?

"As I went to stamp my foot on them the flight attendants were already there with a bucket of water to pour on them".

I note it doesn't mention a brand but I wonder if they were knock-offs bought in China

 

[opusman]

Agreed and the worry is now could this lead to Lithium powered devices being banned?

Would mean banning all mobile phones and tablets from flights - would never happen.

I note it doesn't mention a brand

Batteries Often Spontaneously Explode ?

 

[Ansett]

Batteries Often Spontaneously Explode ?

It is usually a result of batteries that cant vent a build up of Gas occurs and away they then go. My father was an expert on Battery's and designed many battery's for Military and police use. the stories he has told me are quite alarming.

 

[Cynicor]

I had pretty much the same thoughts as SamH. I'd go with cheap brand or knockoffs.

 

[Colin 2905]

I note it doesn't mention a brand....

Samsung?

 

[JohnPhelan]

It is usually a result of batteries that cant vent a build up of Gas occurs and away they then go.

Which is exactly how Boeing overcame the problem with the lithium batteries on the B787. They enclosed them in a case and built a venting mechanism into it.

 

[zig]

I note it doesn't mention a brand but I wonder if they were knock-offs bought in China

This was my initial thought as well. From what I have read of reports today there haven't been any other reported cases.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I always use my own noise cancelling headphones but they don't have a lithium battery.
Incidentally I use them because I have found even airlines say they provide noise-cancelling headphones (eg in QF or VA J) the headphones often lack either their own batteries or the third plug to power them from the aircraft. So I don't think they are active noise cancelling headphones at all. Without power, they can't be.

 

[defurax]

I only use good old Alkaline or NiMH batteries in my Bose headphones, no need for light weight and exploding Li batteries.

 

[Quickstatus]

Apple airpods?

 

[mushez]

Can only see this result in a clamp down on any self bought headphones gate to gate by Chinese mainland carriers.

Love to know the flight, e.g. Carrier in question, and also what brand they were.

 

[amaroo]

Reminds me of this very sad story...

Warning over USB chargers after woman dies from apparent electrocution

 

[Cynicor]

I only use good old Alkaline or NiMH batteries in my Bose headphones, no need for light weight and exploding Li batteries.

I use Sennheisers but I didn't realise the Bose had replaceable batteries. Are they just standard AAA and are these the latest QCs you are referring to?

 

[defurax]

I use Sennheisers but I didn't realise the Bose had replaceable batteries. Are they just standard AAA and are these the latest QCs you are referring to?

I have the older version QC15 which require standard AAA.

 

[mushez]

I use Sennheisers but I didn't realise the Bose had replaceable batteries. Are they just standard AAA and are these the latest QCs you are referring to?

The QC3's have Lithium Ion Batteries - much like a smaller battery for your laptop.

Standard AA or AAA are not Lithium Ion batteries. The issue is Lithium Ion Batteries, which are used in laptops, mobile phones etc - which are rechargeable.

Here is what the QC3 batteries look like:
https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Battery-QuietComfort-NTA2358-Headphone/dp/B00D3RS9GE

QC15, QC25 etc all use standard AAA batteries and are more stable when it comes to exploding batteries debate.

 

[cgichard]

Another reason to prefer my Sleepphones: ultra-comfortable, lightweight, double as an eye-mask - and no batteries.