A ban on laptops and tablets in checked baggage could be coming down the pipeline if civil aviation authorities agree with a proposal which claims that personal electronic devices pose a fire hazard in the cargo hold. A fire ensued almost immediately and within 40 seconds the can exploded, consuming the bag and its contents, researchers said. Similar tests were conducted with a bottle of nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, and a bottle of 70 percent ethyl rubbing alcohol. "The outcome of the testing indicates that large PEDs in checked baggage mixed with an aerosol can produce an explosion and fire that the aircraft cargo fire suppression system in Class C cargo compartments may not be able to safely manage," reads the report. "Globally, there are aircraft in the commercial fleet that do not have the same level of cargo fire suppression in the cargo hold, which places passengers in greater jeopardy if a PED catches fire in checked baggage."

Source: dna October 24, 2017 07:52 UTC