More documentation from government sources regarding lithium batteries on assistive mobility devices:
http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/portal/site...009ed07898RCRD
http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/portal/site...009ed07898RCRD
From the ACAA, "14 CFR 382.125 requires stowage in a baggage compartment. 14 CFR 382.127 requires an airline to accept battery-powered wheelchairs as checked baggage when conditions do not prohibit doing so and consistent with the requirements of ยง 175.10(a)(15) and (16). Thus, an airline must permit a passenger to bring a manual wheelchair, or a wheelchair or other battery-powered mobility aid equipped with a nonspillable or spillable battery aboard a passenger aircraft.
Note that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel recently adopted a provision into the ICAO Technical Instructions (ICAO TI) to specify that,
with the approval of the airline and under certain conditions, the ICAO TI do not apply to a lithium-ion battery-powered wheelchair or similar mobility aid carried by a passenger as checked baggage aboard an aircraft beginning January 1, 2011. PHMSA intends to propose to adopt a similar provision in a future rulemaking."
This discussion seems to have been started a few years back- note the dates for these responses.
Here is the link to 14 CFR 175.10, and and an excerpt from sect (17) and the changes that have been applied to that text in its last rev.
0
28. In Sec. 175.10, paragraph (a)(17) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 175.10 Exceptions for passengers, crewmembers, and air
operators.
(a) * * *
(17) A wheelchair or other mobility aid equipped with a lithium ion
battery, when carried as checked baggage, provided--
(i) The lithium ion battery must be of a type that successfully
passed each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR; see Sec.
171.7 of this subchapter), as specified in Sec. 173.185 of this
subchapter, unless approved by the Associate Administrator;
(ii) The operator must verify that:
(A) Visual inspection of the wheelchair or other mobility aid
reveals no obvious defects;
(B) Battery terminals are protected from short circuits (e.g.,
enclosed within a battery housing);
(C) The battery must be securely attached to the mobility aid; and
(D) Electrical circuits are isolated;
(iii) The wheelchair or other mobility aid must be loaded and
stowed in such a manner to prevent its unintentional activation and its
battery must be protected from short circuiting;
(iv) The wheelchair or other mobility aid must be protected from
damage by the movement of baggage, mail, service items, or other cargo;
(v) Where a lithium ion battery-powered wheelchair or other
mobility aid is specifically designed to allow its battery to be
removed by the user (e.g., collapsible):
(A) The battery must be removed from the wheelchair or other
mobility aid according to instructions provided by the wheelchair or
other mobility aid owner or its manufacturer;
(B) The battery must be carried in carry-on baggage only;
(C) Battery terminals must be protected from short circuits (by
placement in original retail packaging or otherwise insulating the
terminal e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery
in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch);
(D) The battery must not exceed 25 grams aggregate equivalent
lithium content; and
(E) A maximum of one spare battery not exceeding 25 grams aggregate
equivalent lithium content or two spares not exceeding 13.5 grams
aggregate equivalent lithium content each may be carried;
(vi) The pilot-in-command is advised either orally or in writing,
prior to departure, as to the location of the lithium ion battery or
batteries aboard the aircraft.
* * * * *
The language from 17 a(ii) -(iii) is for non-collapsible with battery integrated and not intended for easy removal. There are requirements for visual inspection for condition etc, but no specifi Wh size limitations. The next section (V) applies to the more collapsible assistive mobility devices, 25 gram max etc that we are more familiar with.
This is where the operators will be developing their policies that allow them - if they choose - to apply these rules.
Just more info that may help see that this has been developing over several years and doesn't look like a potential oversight or typo from an under-informed governmental group...