The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned certain MacBook Pro laptops on flights after an announcement from Apple that some use batteries that pose a fire or safety risk. According to NPR, the FAA said it is aware of the recalled batteries that are used in some Apple MacBook Pro laptops. In early July, the FAA alerted airlines about the recall and informed the public.
Recall and Ban
Apple announced in June a voluntary recall of a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units, which contain a battery that might overheat and pose a safety risk. The recalled laptops were sold between September 2015 and February 2017 and can be identified by their product serial number. Apple said in its recall announcement that it would replace the affected batteries at no charge for consumers. Some international airline carriers have also banned the MacBook Pros.
Four airlines with cargo operations managed by Total Cargo Expertise — TUI Group Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Air Italy and Air Transat — this week barred the laptops from flying as cargo, according to Bloomberg. It’s unclear at this point how many MacBook Pros will be affected by this ban. About 432,000 of these computers with defective batteries were sold in the United States while an additional 26,000 were sold in Canada.
Batteries and Airlines
The FAA has recently passed bans on lithium ion batteries in planes that carry cargo and from the cargo areas of passenger airplanes as well. This includes e-cigarette batteries, which have exploded and caused serious injuries. Of course, these bans are in place to prevent fires in cargo areas. These types of incidents could result in major injuries or even fatalities in the event of a crash.
In many cases, these types of batteries or devices explode or catch fire because they are manufactured with substandard or low-quality parts. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a dangerous or defective product, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries, damages and losses.
Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Injured victims will also be well advised to contact an experienced product defect lawyer who will help them secure maximum compensation for their injuries, damages and losses.
