Botched Repair Likely Cause of Combusting iPhone After Flight

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Botched Repair Likely Cause of Combusting iPhone After Flight

Posted by Soulskill on Friday May 4, 2012 @03:40AM from the you're-probably-just-puncturing-the-battery-wrong dept.

aesoteric writes "The combustion of an Apple iPhone 4 after a regional flight in Australia was likely caused by a botched repair of the handset by an unauthorized repairer, according to air safety investigators in the U.S. and Australia. A small metal screw had been misplaced in the battery bay of the handset. The screw punctured the battery casing and caused an internal short circuit, making the iPhone emit dense smoke (PDF)."

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Waiting for facts by Overly+Critical+Guy · 2012-05-04 03:41 · Score: 5, Insightful

After reading the snarky comments in the previous story about "holding it wrong", "it's an iPhone so it's a feature", and "ban all phones without removable batteries", it's interesting to see what happens if you wait for investigative facts to come out. But where would be the fun in that? Slashdot's comment section is more about cathartic bashing than insightful commentary. Of course, now we'll see accusations that Apple bribed the ATSB or fake-posts from pretend-battery-engineers telling us how the story is wrong or some other similar silliness...

--
"Sufferin' succotash."
1. Re:Waiting for facts by alphatel · 2012-05-04 03:44 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  That's not the worst of it. The real outcome is that TSA will now ban all electronic devices as deadly terrorist weapons.
  
  --
  When the foot seeks the place of the head, the line is crossed. Know your place. Keep your place. Be a shoe.
2. Re:Waiting for facts by ZeroSumHappiness · 2012-05-04 03:45 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Not to mention that someone fruity could lobby for laws that outlaw third party repairs as a result...
3. Re:Waiting for facts by poptix · 2012-05-04 03:46 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  The facts don't really matter, "You're holding it wrong" is still relevant and funny.
  
  --
  Just because you disagree doesn't mean it's not true.
4. Re:Waiting for facts by Savage-Rabbit · 2012-05-04 03:50 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  That's not the worst of it. The real outcome is that TSA will now ban all electronic devices as deadly terrorist weapons.
  Obligatory: http://xkcd.com/651/
  
  --
  Only to idiots, are orders laws.
  -- Henning von Tresckow
5. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 03:50 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Seems to vindicate the "ban all phones without removable batteries" position, though. If the batteries were designed to be replaced by the end user, this wouldn't have happened.
6. Re:Waiting for facts by Overly+Critical+Guy · 2012-05-04 03:55 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Not to worry. They're far too busy feeling up 3-year olds and grannies to do anything about deadly weapons of any sort.
  
  --
  "Sufferin' succotash."
7. Re:Waiting for facts by TheMeuge · 2012-05-04 03:58 · Score: 2
  
  Why wait for facts? Ban!
8. Re:Waiting for facts by dietdew7 · 2012-05-04 03:58 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  You have to subscribe to his newsletter.
9. Re:Waiting for facts by Bobfrankly1 · 2012-05-04 04:00 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  I know you hear "You're holding it wrong" from your boyfriend all the time, but the joke, and any sort of brand bashing is tired.
  It's only tired if you belong to the order of the Jobsian monks. Patiently waiting, cash and credit, upon the drops of technological dew that drops from Apple. To the rest of us, including non-devotees who have an apple product, it's still pretty funny. =D
10. Re:Waiting for facts by phayes · 2012-05-04 04:13 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Meh, only the conspiracy minded think that they would want to.
  Having an iphone go up in smoke because an insufficiently trained tech botched the repair is great publicity for having your repairs done by certified repairmen.
  
  --
  Democracy is a sheep and two wolves deciding what to have for lunch. Freedom is a well armed sheep contesting the issue
11. Re:Waiting for facts by msauve · 2012-05-04 04:17 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  The repair was for a broken screen, not a battery replacement. Your claim is a non-sequitur.
  
  --
  "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
12. Re:Waiting for facts by NixieBunny · 2012-05-04 04:22 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  I sent the following letter to Bruce Schneier last year...
  
  Back in the July 2011, I built a device called the Video Coat.
  
  I then went on a family vacation, which culminated in displaying the coat at the Maker Faire in Detroit. The coat traveled to Detroit packed into a suitcase, and I spent an hour assembling it in the hotel room.
  
  I had to catch a plane just as the Faire was ending, so we quickly piled the family into the car and drove to the airport. I didn't have time to pack the coat back into its suitcase, so I carried it on my lap.
  
  I wore the coat into the airport. Everything was fine until I arrived at the luggage check-in counter and was getting my boarding passes. Then, a Detroit cop walked up and told me that he'd had about 50 phone calls about my coat.
  
  They asked me to please pack it into my checked luggage. I had my boarding passes at this time, so I took the time to sit down and disassemble the coat and pack it into its suitcase.
  
  Then, the TSA had decided that my family (wife and two teenage sons) was special, so they wrote SSSS on all of our boarding passes. They nicely let us cut ahead of all the other passengers so that we could get fully scanned, groped, fondled and molested in time to catch our flight. I was enjoying this whole situation very much, since it was so surreal.
  
  The most surreal part was when they inspected the eight big LiPo batteries that are used to provide power to the video coat. They decided that the batteries were small enough to be allowed on the flight, and they handed all eight of them to me for me to repack into my son's backpack.
  
  The way more ultimately surreal part was a month later, when I was at Burning Man, recharging the batteries one morning. I wasn't paying attention, and I accidentally plugged one battery into another battery instead of plugging it into the charger. There was a brilliant white light as the contacts started arcing against each other. I quickly unplugged the batteries and regained my composure.
  
  Since this battery is designed to provide 100 Amperes continuous current in normal use, one can only imagine what the short-circuit current capability is. The manufacturer doesn't provide any safety fuses or shutoff circuits in the packs. It's safe to assume that two of these batteries plugged into each other would catch fire in about 10 seconds.
  
  Imagine if I had plugged two batteries into each other on an airplane! I had enough incendiary material on hand to start four fine lithium fires on that aircraft, not that I would want to do anything remotely like that. I really don't know what the flight crew would have done about that situation. It definitely would make headlines.
  
  So can you please tell me why you think that the TSA allows incendiary devices to be carried on board, but not bottled water?
  
  Bruce's reply? "Because there was an uncovered liquid plot, but no documented battery plot."
  
  --
  The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.
13. Re:Waiting for facts by Tyr07 · 2012-05-04 04:32 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  The new iphone 4S. 4x the magic smoke when let out.
14. Re:Waiting for facts by Dishevel · 2012-05-04 04:35 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I used to hold it wrong ... Till I took an arrow to the knee.
  Sorry.
  
  --
  Why is it so hard to only have politicians for a few years, then have them go away?
15. Re:Waiting for facts by noh8rz3 · 2012-05-04 05:06 · Score: 2
  
  Not to mention that someone fruity could lobby for laws that outlaw third party repairs as a result...
  Why bring homosexuality into this? Troll!
16. Re:Waiting for facts by m.ducharme · 2012-05-04 05:14 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Just to add a counter-factual point to your anecdote, I recall some time ago being in the market for a music player. the iPods at the time were white, second or third gen I guess, and of course the non-replaceable battery issue was as live then as it seems to be now. So I shopped around, and bought an iRiver. nice player, good capacity, user-serviceable battery.
  3 years or so later, when the time came around to replace the battery, I went online to order a replacement only to find that the battery I needed, with a specific shape and plug, had been discontinued, and there was no way I could get a new one, branded or after-market.
  Since then, I haven't been fussed about the non-replaceable battery issue, really.
  
  --
  Rule of Slashdot #0: You and people like you are not representative of the larger population. - A.C.
17. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:35 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Why wait for a law?
  There are several federal agencies that can make something effectively illegal simply by editing a list, and publishing it. We had to amend the constitution of make alcohol illegal, but drugs float from schedule to schedule at the whim of the FDA. The ATF, does the same thing. Neither offer, nor will when asked, a shred of evidence behind their reasoning.
18. Re:Waiting for facts by jamiesan · 2012-05-04 06:18 · Score: 2
  
  Or a loose nut in front of the touch screen?
19. Re:Waiting for facts by garyoa1 · 2012-05-04 07:23 · Score: 2
  
  TSA
  T ouching
  S omeone's
  A ss
  24/7
  
  --
  Wuddooeyeno? IITYWYBMAD? Like nuts? eclecticallyincorrect.com
20. Re:Waiting for facts by CrankyFool · 2012-05-04 08:11 · Score: 2
  
  I've been through Ben Gurion a few times (I'm Israli-born and still have an Israeli passport). They may certainly assume that, but -- given that I was traveling at the time with a portable DVD player, additional battery, two power adapters, a cellphone, and an iPod, I can assure you it is in no way banned.
Five sided screws by CmdrPorno · 2012-05-04 03:47 · Score: 5, Funny

The report says the shop that performed the repair was not an authorized Apple repair shop, and shows the device as having the old, dangerous standard Philips screws. Now we know why Apple has been so adamant about switching from regular Philips screws to five-sided screws--with the five sided, tamper-resistant screws, there is no chance that an unauthorized repair facility would be able to create an explosive condition by leaving a screw inside the iPhone.

--
Sent from my iPhone
1. Re:Five sided screws by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 03:54 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Shit, better hide this from unauthorized repair facilities!
2. Re:Five sided screws by tlhIngan · 2012-05-04 04:11 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  This argument precludes the possibility of easily sourcing a pentabular screwdriver. In short, your logic falls flat on its face.
  There aren't any easy sources. iFixit had to specially comission a build - they CNC cut their own pentalobe screws. Their cheaper kits use a star screwdriver that improperly fits, but since it's a single use item, it's not a big deal (and it'll leave marks on the screw that a proper screwdriver won't). They reluctantly sell these things to the public.
  Basically, if someone is willing to go through the trouble of sourcing a screwdriver and paying $30 for it (plus shipping), it's already a one up from someone who'll just take a knife to unscrew it (yes, I've seen that happen).
  It's basically one of those "if you're doing this, you probalby know what you're doing" intelligence tests. A 5 lobe screwdriver is pretty hard to find to begin with, and those that'll go through the effort of procuring one, well, probably have the skills and know-how to do it.
  If you're going to places like iFixit to get tools to repair stuff, that's already a huge step up in the skills game. Sure a skilled repairman could make the same mistake, but they're also far more attentive and if they're missing a screw or have parts left over, will probably investigate. There I Fixed It has some stunning examples of what people can do. (Unfortunately, it also contains some smart fixes as well, but the older entries are more interesting).
3. Re:Five sided screws by Desler · 2012-05-04 04:16 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  What trouble in sourcing a screwdriver? You can buy one here for $5. And there are others that are easily found with 5 seconds of Amazon searching.
4. Re:Five sided screws by HarrySquatter · 2012-05-04 04:22 · Score: 2
  
  If going to Amazon and typing "iPhone screwdriver" is what you consider a "pretty hard" thing to do, that says more about your intelligence not those of others.
trueism. by MrShaggy · 2012-05-04 03:49 · Score: 2

I guess the old saying 'don't let the smoke out' is true.

--
I have mod points and I am not afraid to use them.
How do they know it's 'unauthorized'? by gelfling · 2012-05-04 03:54 · Score: 3, Insightful

I wonder, and so what?
Batteries becoming as dangerous as tanks by cpu6502 · 2012-05-04 03:55 · Score: 2

With the amount of energy they are squeezing into modern batteries, they are becoming almost as dangerous as a small diesel tank inside your phone or laptop. A random short can lead to a sudden release of all that trapped energy.

--
My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
First rule of any tech repair by macraig · 2012-05-04 03:57 · Score: 5, Insightful

First rule of any tech repair, 'authorized' or not:
1. Always have a method to account for every screw and part removed!
I'm not authorized to service my own laptops, one of them has been disassembled literally dozens of times, and yet this scenario is very unlikely to happen to me. I have sets of interlocking parts compartments that I have labelled specifically for teardowns of each laptop; the screws are grouped by progressive steps or layers of the teardown, and further by size in some instances. This is critical even for someone performing the same teardown every day, as no one is perfect, but it's especially critical for those first or one-time teardowns.
This screw got misplaced not because the guy was 'unauthorized' but rather because he was careless and foolish. Just because a person is indeed authorized (or degreed) is no exemption from carelessness and foolishness.
1. Re:First rule of any tech repair by sexconker · 2012-05-04 04:05 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  First rule of any tech repair, 'authorized' or not:
  1. Always have a method to account for every screw and part removed!
  I'm not authorized to service my own laptops, one of them has been disassembled literally dozens of times, and yet this scenario is very unlikely to happen to me. I have sets of interlocking parts compartments that I have labelled specifically for teardowns of each laptop; the screws are grouped by progressive steps or layers of the teardown, and further by size in some instances. This is critical even for someone performing the same teardown every day, as no one is perfect, but it's especially critical for those first or one-time teardowns.
  This screw got misplaced not because the guy was 'unauthorized' but rather because he was careless and foolish. Just because a person is indeed authorized (or degreed) is no exemption from carelessness and foolishness.
  Little plastic compartments?
  In my day we used an egg carton.
2. Re:First rule of any tech repair by phorm · 2012-05-04 05:05 · Score: 2
  
  I usually take a picture of the device (several if there are "layers" to the disassembly) and print it off.
  Then I poke the screws into the picture in the same place as they were removed from the laptop/phone.
  That way, I not only keep track of how many screws I have, but at which stage and location they go back into the device. Result=no forgotten/lost screws, and a good template for the next time I have to disassemble.
3. Re:First rule of any tech repair by phorm · 2012-05-04 06:10 · Score: 2
  
  Not bad, but I'd worry about the screws dislodging from the sheets, etc
  If they're really tiny, I often tape them in place. If the head is big enough, they usually stick fine just poking into the page.
  IIRC, I taped them for the last iPhone I opened up, but laptop screws were a bit bigger and didn't need tape.
battery compartment design by pinkfalcon · 2012-05-04 04:02 · Score: 5, Funny

This also re-opens the argument that if Apple made the battery replaceable in the first place, then you wouldn't have to damage the phone to replace the battery.

--
Real SUV's don't have cupholders
It's 5:42 A.M., do you know where your stack pointer is?
Re:so much for iPad piloting... by UnknowingFool · 2012-05-04 04:02 · Score: 2

Why would they? A airplane mechanic can botch a repair job on the airplane. Should they ban pilots using airplanes?

--
Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
A sensible follow up by Henriok · 2012-05-04 04:04 · Score: 2

I think it's extremely pleasant to read a relevant follow up of a previous article. In this day and age where hysterical or sensational trolling is the main reason for publishing any news items, a calm and sensible follow up where the facts are laid bare is rare. Kudos to Slashdot.

--

- Henrik

- when the Shadows descend -
exploding iphone by CosaNostra+Pizza+Inc · 2012-05-04 04:09 · Score: 3, Funny

Here is your mission should you choose to accept it. .... This iphone will self-destruct in 10 seconds. Have a nice day.
Second rule of tech repair by Nkwe · 2012-05-04 04:33 · Score: 2

Given that every time you take something apart and put it back together you always have parts left over (and it usually still works), if you take something apart and put it back together enough times you will eventually have two of them.
stripped threads by tobiah · 2012-05-04 04:51 · Score: 2

When I tear down small devices/laptops I occasionally find a loose screw in there because the threads stripped. This is especially true of portable devices which get a good bit of jostling, and usually around the battery, which swells and shrinks.

--
"The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool" - Jane Wagner -
Words mean things by EmagGeek · 2012-05-04 06:25 · Score: 2

"Authorized" and "Competent" are two completely different words, with completely different meanings. I want my electronics repaired by a "competent" repairer. I don't give a flip if they are "authorized."