SEOUL - Passengers evacuated from an Air Busan plane engulfed in flames last week at Gimhae International Airport are set to have their checked baggage returned as authorities deemed the aircraft safe for thorough investigation. The incident occurred on January 28, with all 169 passengers and seven crew members successfully evacuated from the Airbus A321ceo using emergency slides. Thankfully, only minor injuries were reported.
The fire ignited just before the flight was to depart for Hong Kong, with first flames detected around 10:15 PM local time, originating from an overhead luggage bin situated on the plane's rear left-hand side. An Air Busan spokesperson confirmed this detail, underscoring the quick response from flight staff.
Following the incident, on January 31, South Korea's Transport Ministry conducted a risk management assessment, which will precede the formal investigation beginning February 3. The burnt aircraft remains parked on the tarmac at Gimhae International Airport as investigators work to determine the cause of the fire.
Notably, the incident came shortly after South Korea experienced its deadliest air disaster last month, where a Jeju Air plane crashed during its belly landing at Muan International Airport, taking the lives of all but two on board. This recent spate of aviation incidents has sparked increased scrutiny on safety measures across the country's budget airlines.
The Air Busan Airbus A321ceo, which is approximately 17 years old, displayed burn damage along its fuselage, though its wings and engines were reportedly unharmed, according to the Transport Ministry. The Ministry also indicated the aircraft had 16,280kg of jet fuel onboard, which they established did not require offloading.
To mitigate risks during the investigation, the plane will be covered with canopies to protect it from the elements. Hazardous materials, such as oxygen tanks within and outside the aircraft, will be secured for safety measures during this process. Baggage from the cargo hold was also removed on January 31, as authorities confirmed it would be returned to passengers.
South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board is leading the investigation, and they were joined by representatives from France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, which is particularly significant due to Airbus's French design origins.
The recent events have stirred noticeable reactions within the financial markets, with Air Busan's shares closing down 3.2% on January 31 after initially dropping as much as 6.1% following news of the incident. This decline came after the four-day holiday break, heightening scrutiny over the airline's operational safety.
Moving forward, the investigation promises to reveal important insights about the incident, especially concerning passenger and crew safety protocols. The swift evacuation and low injury rate could suggest effective emergency preparedness on the part of Air Busan, yet the underlying cause of the fire remains under investigation. With the scheduled starting date for the official review just around the corner, anticipation will grow around the findings it will yield.
Air Busan is part of South Korea’s larger airline network under Korean Air, which acquired its parent company, the cash-strapped and debt-ridden, but well-known, the national carrier, earlier this year. How this incident will impact the broader travel and aviation environment amid heightened tensions post-disasters could bear significance for industry stakeholders and travelers alike.