14 DAY TRIAL // A few days ago, we reported that the FAA was investigating Samsung’s recall and that the Federal Aviation Administration would release a statement soon. It seems that it has, with the FAA officially warning passengers against using Galaxy Note 7 phones during flights.
Passengers are strongly advised against powering on their Note 7 smartphones or charging them on planes. “In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices, the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage.”
The official statement has been posted on the FAA website, and it seems that passengers will be allowed to carry their Note 7 units in their pockets, but turning them on and charging them won’t be allowed. This doesn’t mean that the FAA is banning Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from planes, and the investigation is still ongoing, with the Administration expected to update the statement as soon as possible.
Airlines from Australia have also issued warnings against the Note 7
The FAA’s decision comes after at least 17 cases of Galaxy Note 7 units catching fire in the US, not to mention the same number of incidents that were reported in Taiwan. In two of the most recent cases, a house caught fire after the Note 7 was left charging in the garage, and a Jeep car went up in flames with the smartphone charging inside.
Investigations are ongoing, and it’s difficult to say if the two fires were caused by the Note 7, but it does seem to be the common element in both incidents. Nevertheless, Samsung issued a recall exactly one week ago and will be replacing the phones soon.
Yesterday, we reported that several airlines from Australia issued warnings telling passengers that they shouldn’t charge their Galaxy Note 7 smartphones onboard. Qantas, the biggest airline in Australia, issued a warning, as to avoid Note 7 phones charging and catching fire during flights.