Introduction
On 20 March 2025, a Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration B-LPC, operating flight HX-115 from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (ZSHC) to Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH), declared an emergency after a fire was reported in one of the aircraft’s overhead stowage compartments. The aircraft was cruising at 9,200 metres (approximately FL301) when the cabin crew observed smoke and flames originating from an overhead bin.
The fire was successfully extinguished by cabin crew using handheld fire extinguishers. The flight crew initiated an immediate diversion to Fuzhou Changle International Airport (ZSFZ), where the aircraft landed without further incident approximately 30 minutes later.
There were no injuries reported among the occupants, and the aircraft was taxied to a remote stand for further inspection.
—
Flight & Incident Overview
• Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-200
• Operator: Hong Kong Airlines
• Registration: B-LPC
• Flight Number: HX-115
• Route: Hangzhou (ZSHC) to Hong Kong (VHHH)
• Date: 20 March 2025
• Occupants: Unknown at time of report (maximum typical capacity approx. 180)
• Incident Location: Approximately 120 nautical miles north of Fuzhou, China
• Altitude at Time of Incident: 9,200 metres (FL301)
• Final Outcome: Safe landing at Fuzhou Changle International Airport
• Injuries: None reported
• Damage: Minor heat and smoke damage to cabin interior
—
Sequence of Events
1. En-Route Phase
• The aircraft departed Hangzhou as scheduled and was established in cruise flight at FL301, heading south towards Hong Kong.
• Approximately 120 nautical miles north of Fuzhou, cabin crew detected smoke and subsequently observed flames emanating from an overhead bin located in the forward cabin section.
2. Firefighting Actions and Flight Crew Response
• Cabin crew promptly deployed portable fire extinguishers and followed standard operating procedures for cabin fire events.
• Simultaneously, the flight crew was notified of the situation, and declared an emergency with air traffic control (ATC).
• An immediate diversion to Fuzhou was initiated, and a descent commenced while cabin crew continued fire suppression efforts.
3. Successful Containment
• The fire was reported fully extinguished prior to landing.
• The aircraft made a safe and uneventful landing on runway 03 at Fuzhou approximately 30 minutes following the initial incident.
• The aircraft taxied to a remote stand where emergency response teams and fire crews stood by.
• The overhead bin involved was opened and inspected by ground personnel.
—
Technical Considerations & Preliminary Observations
1. Source of Fire
• Based on initial reports, the fire originated within an overhead stowage compartment. No confirmation has been provided at this time regarding the presence of lithium batteries, electronic devices, or other flammable materials.
• A number of previous in-flight fires have been traced to portable electronic devices overheating, and such possibilities will be considered as part of the formal investigation.
2. Cabin Safety Systems
• Airbus A320 family aircraft are not equipped with built-in fire detection systems in overhead bins, and rely on crew awareness and manual fire extinguishing procedures.
• The aircraft was equipped with the standard complement of handheld fire extinguishers, and cabin crew performance is reported to have been effective and timely.
3. Operational and Environmental Conditions
• No adverse weather was reported in the vicinity of the incident.
• The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) are expected to be reviewed to evaluate the response times and communications between the crew and ATC.
—
Post-Incident Actions
• The aircraft remained on the ground at Fuzhou at the time of reporting, undergoing inspection by maintenance teams.
• Preliminary inspection confirmed minor damage confined to the overhead bin area. There were no structural impacts noted.
• Passengers were safely disembarked and arrangements were made for alternate transportation.
—
Investigation
An internal safety investigation has been launched by Hong Kong Airlines, with oversight expected from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The focus will include:
• Identifying the source of ignition.
• Verifying compliance with dangerous goods carriage policies.
• Evaluating crew response and fire suppression effectiveness.
• Inspecting related aircraft systems and wiring in the affected area.
The final report is expected to clarify whether any regulatory or procedural deficiencies contributed to the occurrence.
—
Conclusion
On 20 March 2025, a fire incident aboard Hong Kong Airlines flight HX-115 involving an Airbus A320-200 (B-LPC) prompted an emergency diversion to Fuzhou. The fire, located in an overhead stowage compartment, was successfully extinguished in flight by cabin crew using standard equipment and procedures. The aircraft landed safely with no injuries reported. An official investigation is underway to determine the root cause of the fire and to assess the adequacy of the crew response and cabin safety systems.
—
Disclaimer
This report is based on publicly available information as of 21 March 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced materials and wish for them to be removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.
