On July 8, a Delta Airlines flight from JFK to Los Angeles was forced to make an emergency landing in Detroit following a terrifying onboard incident. Passengers onboard Flight 520 reported the cabin quickly filling with smoke shortly after takeoff. The cause, while still under investigation, is believed to be linked to an overheating or malfunctioning lithium-ion battery — a growing concern in modern aviation safety.
This incident is the latest in a series of in-flight fire incidents involving lithium-ion batteries — the same type of battery used in most consumer electronics, including smartphones, tablets, power banks, and laptops. As air travel continues to rely on digital devices for both passenger and crew operations, the risk of battery-related fires on aircraft increases significantly.
Fortunately, the Delta flight was able to land safely in Detroit with no reported injuries. But the event has raised renewed concerns over aircraft fire safety, especially the ability to suppress a lithium-ion battery fire in a confined space at 35,000 feet.
Unlike traditional fires, lithium battery fires are self-sustaining and can re-ignite after initial suppression. When a cell goes into thermal runaway, it releases intense heat, toxic gases, and flammable electrolytes. In the limited ventilation of an aircraft cabin, this creates a highly hazardous situation, threatening passenger safety, aircraft systems, and crew response capabilities.
With air travel on the rise again globally, aviation authorities, airlines, and safety professionals are under increasing pressure to find robust solutions to prevent and suppress lithium battery fires.
At AVD Fire, we specialise in fire suppression solutions designed specifically for lithium-ion battery fires. Our AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion) agent offers a breakthrough approach—cooling and encapsulating the battery fire to prevent re-ignition and mitigate the spread of heat and smoke. Unlike traditional foam or powder extinguishers, AVD is non-conductive, non-corrosive, and environmentally safe, making it suitable for use in aviation, transport, and electronics-heavy environments.
We work closely with public transport operators, aviation maintenance teams, and OEMs to develop tailored battery fire suppression systems—including our fire safety kits, handheld lithium-ion fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and bespoke automated suppression units.
This Delta incident reinforces the need for airline crews to be equipped with the right fire suppression tools—not only to extinguish fires but to safely manage post-fire thermal risk. It also highlights the urgency for airlines, regulators, and OEMs to revisit safety protocols and consider innovative fire suppression technologies for their fleets.
For operators, regulators, or safety officers seeking advanced solutions to mitigate battery fire risk, AVD Fire is here to support.
AVD Fire Ltd is here to help you build resilience into your safety plan. Contact our team today to discuss lithium-ion fire protection for your vessel, transport network, or critical infrastructure.
📩 [email protected]
🔗 Explore our lithium-ion fire safety solutions
