Oliver Tree Presumed Dead in Rio Helicopter Collision That Killed 6

Q: How did electric cars turn the Oliver Tree helicopter crash into a toxic, explosive inferno?

The crash became especially destructive because the helicopters came down in an electric-vehicle parking lot, where the impact fire appears to have ignited multiple lithium-ion battery packs. Once those batteries were damaged, they likely entered thermal runaway, a chain reaction in which overheating cells feed neighboring cells, producing intense heat, flames and repeated flare-ups. That helps explain why witnesses and officials described a toxic, explosive inferno. Lithium-ion batteries can vent superheated, flammable gases under pressure, creating secondary explosions and jet-like flames. Fire officials in Rio said at least 20 vehicles were engulfed, and noted that EV fires release highly toxic gases and burn hotter than conventional car fires. The batteries also made the blaze much harder to control. Unlike a typical fuel fire, a battery fire can sustain itself, reignite after appearing to be out, and requires large volumes of water mainly to cool the battery pack enough to stop the reaction. Rio fire officials said EV fires can require three to four times more water than standard vehicle fires. Investigators have not yet said exactly how the collision unfolded or which ignition source triggered the vehicle fires. But based on the crash site and the known behavior of lithium-ion batteries, the electric cars likely turned an already catastrophic helicopter crash into a larger, hotter and more toxic fire scene.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 14

Oliver Tree, 32, was presumed dead after two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning, killing all six people aboard.
Rio’s Military Fire Department said one helicopter crashed into a car dealership, where parked electric vehicles caught fire before crews extinguished the blaze.
Brazilian authorities opened an investigation into the cause of the collision, while Tree’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Tree had performed in São Paulo on June 6 on his world tour for “Love You Madly, Hate You Badly” and was scheduled to play Lisbon on July 1.