Overview
• Operator: Air Busan
• Aircraft Model: Airbus A321-200
• Registration: HL7763
• Flight Number: BX-391
• Route: Busan (South Korea) to Hong Kong (China)
• Date: 28 January 2025
• Occupants: 169 passengers, 6 crew, 1 maintenance engineer
• Injuries: 4 minor injuries
• Aircraft Status: Destroyed
Incident Summary
Air Busan flight BX-391, an Airbus A321-200, was preparing for departure at Busan’s Gimhae International Airport when a fire broke out in the rear cabin. The aircraft was being pushed back from the gate when the fire was detected. The pushback was immediately halted, and the crew initiated an emergency evacuation using the aircraft’s slides.
Emergency responders arrived on scene quickly, but the fire burned for approximately 75 minutes and had already breached the fuselage crown, leading to the aircraft’s complete destruction.
Four passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation process.
Sequence of Events
1. Pushback and Fire Detection
• The aircraft was being pushed back from the gate at Busan Gimhae International Airport when the cabin crew noticed smoke and flames in the rear cabin.
• The exact origin of the fire remains under investigation.
2. Emergency Evacuation
• The pushback was immediately stopped, and the crew initiated an emergency evacuation.
• Passengers and crew evacuated via the slides, resulting in four minor injuries.
• Emergency responders arrived on the scene within minutes.
3. Firefighting Efforts
• Despite rapid response, the fire continued to spread, and after approximately 75 minutes, it burned through the aircraft’s fuselage crown, completely destroying the aircraft.
• The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage.
Investigation and Safety Actions
• South Korea’s Ministry of Transport has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
• The French BEA (Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses) confirmed their involvement in the investigation alongside the South Korean Aircraft and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), given the aircraft’s Airbus A321-200 manufacturer origin.
• Investigators will focus on:
• Possible electrical faults or short circuits in the cabin.
• Lithium-ion battery-related incidents (such as personal electronic devices, crew equipment, or cargo).
• Cabin materials and fire propagation analysis.
• Fuel and systems checks for any irregularities.
Aircraft Status
• The Airbus A321-200 (HL7763) was declared a total loss due to the severity of fire damage.
• Air Busan has removed the aircraft from service.
• The airline has deployed additional aircraft to accommodate affected passengers.
Safety and Operational Considerations
• Fire Risk in Aircraft Cabins
• Aircraft cabins are designed with fire-resistant materials, but rapid fire progression remains a serious safety concern.
• Passenger electronic devices, batteries, or electrical faults are common sources of in-flight fires and will be investigated.
• Evacuation Procedures
• The quick response by the crew ensured a successful evacuation, minimising injuries.
• Four minor injuries occurred, likely due to the slide evacuation process or panic during the emergency exit.
• Emergency Response Effectiveness
• Firefighting efforts lasted approximately 75 minutes before the fire was fully extinguished.
• The investigation will assess whether emergency response measures could have contained the fire earlier.
Ongoing Investigation
• The South Korean ARAIB and French BEA are leading the investigation.
• Authorities are working with Airbus and Air Busan to determine the fire’s origin and cause.
• Further updates will be provided as official findings are released.
Disclaimer
This report is based on publicly available information as of 29 January 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the completeness of the details cannot be guaranteed. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced materials and wish them removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.
