On January 28, 2025, at approximately 10:15 PM, a fire broke out on Air Busan flight BX391 at Gimhae International Airport, en route to Hong Kong. Fortunately, all 176 individuals on board, consisting of 169 passengers, 6 crew members, and 1 maintenance staff member, evacuated successfully without any serious injuries reported.
The incident unfolded as the Airbus A321-200 was preparing for departure. Reports indicated the fire initiated in the tail section of the aircraft. Eyewitness accounts described hearing 'popping' noises from overhead compartments just before smoke was detected. Passengers utilized emergency slides for evacuation, with four individuals sustaining minor injuries during the process and being transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
By 11:31 PM, emergency responders had successfully extinguished the fire, which had rapidly spread from the rear galley area following the initial outbreak. Prompt action from the fire department was initiated ever since the alerts were raised around 10:26 PM. Firefighters worked tirelessly for over an hour to manage the situation effectively. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, quick response efforts mitigated what could have been a catastrophic event.
The South Korean Ministry allocated investigative teams from the Aviation and Rail Accident Investigation Committee (ARAIC) immediately following the incident to ascertain the fire's cause. These 7 investigators arrived on site to gather evidence and analyze data recorded by the aircraft's black box systems. Initial assumptions suggest the fire may have originated from the rear galley where electrical components could potentially malfunction.
Kim Jong-wan, the director of the Aviation Policy Bureau, stated, "We will determine the cause of the fire and address how to prevent such incidents from happening again." This incident has raised alarms not just about Air Busan but also about aviation safety procedures throughout the industry, especially after another similar incident involving Jeju Air just weeks earlier.
Reports indicated the aircraft involved was IX391 (HL7763), 17 years old and serviced by Air Busan since 2017. Before switching the aircraft's operation to Air Busan, the aircraft had seen earlier service under the larger Asiaina Airlines, which has not recorded any significant incidents since its tail strike case back in 2009.
Industry experts voiced concerns after the incident, calling for enhanced safety protocols across all airlines as this incident follows the tragic Jeju Air accident where 179 of 181 passengers lost their lives just last month. The need for stringent safety measures and rigorous aircraft inspections has become painfully apparent.
"The absence of serious injuries is fortunate, yet this occurrence can hardly be seen as insignificant among the backdrop of recent aviation challenges. We need to advocate for reform and transparency within the aviation sector more urgently than ever," noted one industry analyst.
This latest fire disaster, together with the difficulties faced by Air Busan, becomes part of heavier scrutiny for aviation safety regulations throughout South Korea. Various authorities are now set to investigate not only the cause of the fire but also the operational procedures of the airline to avoid future risks.
Firefighters and aircraft safety officials have indicated their intention to conduct thorough assessments as they prepare to deliver findings from this investigation shortly. With the stakes as high as they are, many hope this situation spurs meaningful dialogue about enhancing the safety culture within commercial aviation.