Another case where -- assuming that the initial findings are correct - it's not clear whether the underlying fault was in the battery or the circuitry to which it was connected. Is anyone familiar enough with the ELT circuit to know whether the battery is fused?
High energy battery circuits are supposed to have some form of thermal or electrical cut-out that trips before enough energy has been delivered to start a fire. So, once again, there are two failures to explain: whatever it was that caused the bake-off, and whatever it was that was supposed to stop that happening but didn't.
Interesting that the recommendation to remove the ELT was restricted to 787 carriers. If this is a common part across types, is this an indication that the 787 is uniquely vulnerable?