Avoiding Fireworks

With the July 4 holiday approaching, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reminding the traveling public that they are not permitted to carry fireworks, even sparklers, aboard aircraft. This includes both carry-on and checked bags because of the tremendous fire risk they pose to aircraft in the air and on the ground. Fines for passengers who break the rules are stiff. Friction can cause fireworks to ignite during flight, posing a safety risk to passengers and crew. Because of this danger, domestic and international regulations prohibit passengers from carrying fireworks and firework novelty items in their checked or carry-on baggage or on their persons. Civil penalties can range from $275 to $50,000 per violation. Criminal prosecutions could lead to five years in prison. The NTSB is investigating a ground fire that erupted June 28 aboard a parked Boeing B-767 cargo jet at San Francisco International. The flight crew of the freighter operated by Airborne Express reported smoke and fire just aft of the cockpit while preparing to start the engines. The airplane was parked at the time, and all cargo had been loaded.