Overview
• Operator: Biman Bangladesh Airlines
• Aircraft Model: Boeing 777-300
• Registration: S2-AFO
• Flight Number: BG-347
• Route: Dhaka (DAC) to Dubai (DXB)
• Date: 20 February 2025
• Occupants: 396 passengers, 12 crew
• Casualties: None reported
• Nature of Incident: Aft cargo smoke indication, prompting precautionary diversion
Incident Summary
A Biman Bangladesh Boeing 777-300, operating as flight BG-347, was en route from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Dubai, UAE, cruising at FL320 when the crew received a cargo smoke indication from the aft cargo bay. The aircraft was approximately 130 nautical miles north of Nagpur, India, when the crew elected to divert as a precaution.
The aircraft performed a safe landing on Nagpur’s runway 32 approximately 35 minutes after leaving FL320. Emergency services were on standby and inspected the aft cargo hold, but found no evidence of fire, smoke, or heat.
Sequence of Events
Pre-incident Conditions:
• Flight BG-347 departed Dhaka on schedule, proceeding normally along its planned route.
• No known technical issues were reported prior to departure.
In-flight Occurrence:
• While cruising at FL320, the crew received a cargo smoke warning from the aft cargo compartment.
• Following standard emergency procedures, the crew initiated a precautionary diversion to Nagpur.
• The aircraft descended and landed without further complications on runway 32.
Landing & Emergency Response:
• Emergency services were deployed upon landing.
• Fire crews inspected the aft cargo hold but found no signs of fire, smoke, or overheating.
• The airline later confirmed that the smoke alert was caused by a technical fault rather than an actual fire event.
• A replacement aircraft was dispatched to Nagpur to transport passengers onward to Dubai.
Investigation & Initial Findings
• The airline has acknowledged the incident as a false alarm caused by a sensor malfunction.
• The aircraft will undergo further inspections before being cleared to resume service.
• No immediate safety threats were identified, but a full review of the cargo smoke detection system is expected.
Analysis & Safety Recommendations
• Cargo smoke indications require immediate action, as they could indicate hidden fires—one of the most dangerous in-flight emergencies.
• This case demonstrates the importance of redundancy in aircraft fire detection systems and the necessity of crew preparedness for smoke alerts.
• Further investigation into the cargo smoke detection system is recommended to prevent recurrence.
• Boeing and Biman Bangladesh Airlines may consider issuing an advisory if similar incidents occur across the fleet.
Disclaimer
“This report is based on available information as of 20 February 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.”
