Originally Posted by
JJ21
This was in the news:
Lithium metal batteries deliver extremely high densities of energy, and if they are mishandled they can catch fire, a fire that can't be extinguished with halon, the most common kind of fire-suppression systems in passenger aircraft.
That's one reason the FAA banned shipments of nonrechargeable lithium metal batteries on passenger planes in 2004. But that ban only applies in the United States; international authorities are still considering whether to enact such a rule. Cargo and passenger aircraft are free to carry lithium ion batteries, although they are subject to labeling and packing regulations.
So what was on board Flight 370? Malaysian officials, after saying the cargo manifest would "be released in due course," later got a little more specific and said the Boeing 777 was carrying 440 pounds of lithium ion batteries. What else? Nothing that would cause a problem, the Malaysians assure us.
An Australian news media report said the Malaysian government refused to release the manifest to the Australian government, which would find such information helpful as it tries to map out a search.
If you are a commercial pilot, you need to educate yourself regarding lithium batteries. If the 777 had 400 pounds of LiIon batteries on a pallet in the belly, the plane would have burned up quickly. Again, if you haven't looked at the UPS Dubai fire, that is what we're talking about. It is our worst nightmare. 400 pounds of batteries lighting off does not selectively turn off transponders, then the ACARS, then turn the plane to the west. It would burn the plane in half, not somehow magically incapacitate the occupants and fly for 6-7 more hours, then run out of gas.
Google any of the Youtube demos of lithium battery fires. It isn't pretty.
You clearly prefer conspiracy theories over rational (considering the facts so far) possibilities. I think someone opened up a bag of durian fruit and everyone passed out from the stench. Or black holes swallowed it up. Or a "shadow" aircraft did something to make it disappear. Where is Tom Clancy when we need him?