Cargo Plane Crash Reignites Controversy Over Lithium Batteries The crash of an Asiana Airlines Boeing 747 cargo plane carrying lithium batteries in its cargo hold has reportedly reignited the debate over restricting airborne shipments of lithium batteries. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a team of investigators to help South Korean officials determine the cause, noting that the flight crew reportedly declared an emergency due to an in-flight fire. Already, the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration have been addressing the dangers of transporting lithium batteries in cargo aircraft, reportedly because of previous incidents concerning lithium batteries, which have been blamed for onboard fires. At the same time, the Obama administration is reportedly considering sweeping rules requiring special handling and packaging of certain airborne lithium battery shipments, including alerting pilots that they are onboard and loading them only in designated areas. However, according to reports, battery manufacturers, cell phone companies, and others are opposed to any attempt to regulate the transport of lithium batteries by air cargo. From a UPS Newsletter – Source: The Wall Street Journal, NTSB.gov, DOT.gov