WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation

Administration issued a safety alert on Tuesday to airlines over

risks from lithium batteries in aircraft passenger compartments,

citing a large number of serious incidents.

The FAA recommended airlines adopt risk mitigation

strategies, including clear messaging to address potential fire

risks tied to lithium batteries carried by passengers and crew

members and review firefighting procedures and training.

There have been 50 lithium-ion battery smoke, fire or

extreme heat incidents reported this year in the U.S., the FAA

said, and some of those have resulted in diversions or injuries.

An Aug. 5 incident involved a passenger cell phone on an

American Airlines ( AAL ) flight to Madrid from Dallas that

overheated and began emitting smoke. The passenger sustained

injuries, and there was damage to the aircraft floor and the

flight was delayed, the FAA said.

During a July 12 flight from Chicago to Portland, Oregon, a

passenger's laptop overheated and began emitting smoke. The

laptop was placed in a bag in a bathroom but the flight was

diverted to Casper, Wyoming.

Others have involved cargo planes with laptops or other

batteries in shipments. The FAA last week proposed a $60,000

fine against LG Energy Solution for allegedly

violating the hazardous materials regulations.

The FAA cited a January 2024 undeclared and improperly

packaged shipment of five lithium-ion batteries from Seoul to

Los Angeles.

FedEx ( FDX ) personnel discovered the shipment when it

emitted flames in its sorting facility in Irvine,

California

.