Overview
• Operator: Air Busan
• Aircraft Model: Airbus A321-200
• Registration: HL7763
• Flight Number: BX-391
• Route: Busan (PUS) → Hong Kong (HKG)
• Date: 28 January 2025
• Occupants: 170 passengers, 6 crew, 1 maintenance engineer
• Casualties: 3 serious injuries, 24 minor injuries
• Aircraft Status: Destroyed
• Investigation: Led by South Korea’s ARAIB with participation from the French BEA
Incident Summary
Air Busan flight BX-391 was preparing for departure from Busan when a fire broke out in the rear of the cabin. The fire spread rapidly, triggering an emergency evacuation using seven of the aircraft’s emergency slides.
The pushback was stopped immediately, and all passengers and crew evacuated. Emergency services arrived within minutes, but the fire burned through the fuselage, completely destroying the aircraft.
Sequence of Events
Pre-Departure Delays & Normal Operations
• 22:04 – Aircraft closed doors and awaited pushback.
• 22:14 – “LAV Smoke” warning appeared in the cockpit, and crew reported smoke and flames in the rear cabin.
• 22:15 – Captain ordered emergency evacuation, while flight crew executed the checklist.
• 22:17 – All passengers and crew had evacuated. Fire trucks arrived and began suppression efforts.
• 23:31 – Fire fully extinguished, but the aircraft was destroyed.
Investigation Findings & Initial Analysis
1. Fire Origin & Rapid Spread
• Fire broke out in the rear cabin area, near overhead bins.
• Flames spread quickly through the cabin ceiling and breached the aircraft fuselage.
• The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
2. Evacuation Effectiveness & Injuries
• Seven of eight emergency slides were used for evacuation (R1 door slide was not deployed).
• Three people sustained serious injuries, 24 had minor injuries.
• The captain was the last to evacuate after ensuring all passengers were off the aircraft.
3. Aircraft Damage & Structural Failure
• Fire burned through the fuselage, completely destroying the aircraft.
• The fire was extinguished after 75 minutes, but structural integrity was lost.
Potential Causes & Contributing Factors
1. Possible Electrical or Battery-Related Fire
• The fire’s rapid spread suggests a high-energy ignition source.
• Lithium-ion battery-related fires (such as from power banks or electronic devices in overhead bins) are a leading concern in aviation.
2. Delayed Pushback & Electrical Systems Running
• The aircraft was delayed on the ground with electrical systems running for extended periods.
• This may have increased heat exposure or electrical load in certain cabin areas.
3. Cabin Materials & Fire Propagation
• Modern aircraft materials are fire-resistant, but once a fire breaches structural areas, containment becomes extremely difficult.
• The overhead area where the fire started may have housed insulation, wiring, or other flammable components.
Safety Recommendations & Future Prevention
1. Stronger Fire Detection & Containment in Overhead Storage
• Investigation should identify if lithium-ion batteries were involved.
• Consideration for improved fire suppression systems in passenger overhead bins.
2. Reinforcing Lithium Battery Restrictions & Passenger Awareness
• Stricter enforcement of power bank storage regulations.
• Clearer pre-flight announcements and baggage screening.
3. Cabin Crew Emergency Response Training
• Fire spread was rapid, but the crew’s response saved lives.
• Continuous enhancements in cabin firefighting training and detection systems could prevent similar events.
Conclusion
This serious accident resulted in the total loss of an Airbus A321 but was prevented from becoming a major disaster due to the crew’s quick evacuation response.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, with battery-related overheating being a primary suspicion.
The South Korean ARAIB and French BEA will continue their analysis, and further findings will likely impact global airline fire safety protocols.
Disclaimer
“This report is based on available information as of 4 March 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.”
