An Air Busan aircraft, set to fly to Hong Kong, caught fire just before takeoff at Gimhae International Airport late Tuesday evening. Fortunately, all 176 individuals on board were safely evacuated without any serious injuries, officials reported.
The fire ignited on Flight BX391 around 10:15 PM local time, leading to the mobilization of emergency services. Eyewitness accounts indicated the flames started near the rear cabin area. It took approximately 90 minutes for the fire to be fully extinguished, with the National Fire Agency stating the fire was controlled by 11:31 PM.
The Airbus A321, which was nearly 17 years old, was preparing for its scheduled flight when the fire broke out. There were 169 passengers, six crew members, and one maintenance engineer onboard. While all managed to evacuate using inflatable slides, three individuals suffered minor injuries during the evacuation process.
Authorities suspect the fire may have been caused by a passenger’s portable power bank stored inside the aircraft’s overhead compartment. Passengers reported hearing crackling noises before smoke filled the cabin, leading to the urgent need for evacuation. An Air Busan official echoed these concerns, stating, "The fire appears to have been caused by a passenger’s portable power bank, compressed inside the overhead bin." This incident isn’t isolated; similar cases have been reported, including one on another Air Busan flight less than two months prior.
The cause of the fire is now the subject of intense investigation. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held meetings with various agencies, including the National Fire Agency and Police, to formulate a response plan. Following the fire, investigators retrieved the aircraft’s black boxes to determine the exact cause of the incident. A joint investigation team from France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety also arrived to assist with the forensic analysis.
This recent event follows closely behind the tragic crash of a Jeju Air aircraft one month ago, which resulted in the deaths of 179 passengers and crew. The South Korean government has since intensified scrutiny of aviation safety standards. Transport Minister Park Sang-woo commented, "We will do our best to prevent recurrence through thorough investigation," acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.
Meanwhile, questions surrounding the regulations for carrying such power banks onto airplanes have come to the forefront. Experts have underscored concerns about lithium-ion batteries, which have been implicated as fire hazards. South Korean regulations permit passengers to carry powered batteries; the specific rules stipulate passengers can carry up to two batteries not exceeding certain watt-hour ratings. Despite this, safety officials stress the dangers of these batteries, and calls for stricter regulations may follow once the investigation's findings are disclosed.
Authorities have been diligent about monitoring flights and airport operations since the Jeju Air incident, prompting budget airlines like Air Busan to prioritize safety over profitability. Following the flight disruption, investigations are currently being undertaken to ascertain whether the airline holds any liability for possible negligence or failure to adhere to safety guidelines concerning passenger luggage.
The government and aviation leaders are gearing up to address these new challenges and implement tighter security measures. After all, the potential for disaster lurks behind each operational oversight, particularly when arriving at conclusions about what may have been another harrowing brush with aviation mishaps. "Following the Jeju Air passenger plane tragedy, we feel deeply sorry for the passengers on board and the public," concluded Transport Minister Park.
This investigation will play a pivotal role not only for Air Busan but for the airline industry's chances of maintaining consumer confidence and restoring trust amid rising concerns for air travel safety. Authorities continue to stress the importance of thorough investigations to prevent such incidents from reoccurring and to encourage compliance with safety protocols among airlines.