Seoul, Jan 30 (IANS) – South Korean authorities have retrieved black boxes from an Air Busan Airbus A321 that caught fire earlier this week at Gimhae International Airport, located in the southern city of Busan. The incident occurred on Tuesday, just before the aircraft was scheduled for departure to Hong Kong. All 176 passengers and crew members aboard the budget carrier were successfully evacuated via an escape slide, with seven individuals reported to have suffered minor injuries.
Preliminary investigations have yet to confirm the cause of the blaze. However, initial reports suggest that the fire may have been triggered by a portable battery or other items stored in the overhead bins. Eyewitnesses among the passengers described spotting a flame in an overhead bin in the rear left section of the plane, accompanied by crackling sounds and smoke.
The aviation and railway accident investigation board, under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, has convened with local law enforcement, firefighting units, and the National Forensic Service to discuss safety protocols and formulate an investigation strategy. The board is concerned with the substantial fuel load of 35,000 pounds on board the plane’s wings, which could pose an explosive risk during further investigations. Authorities are also considering whether to defuel the aircraft, though damage to the fuselage complicates the process.
As part of the investigation, a French team of investigators, in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, will join the probe. ICAO guidelines mandate the involvement of the manufacturer’s nation in the investigation of incidents involving aircraft produced in that country.
This incident comes shortly after another fire aboard an Air Busan flight earlier this month, attributed to a portable battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage. With similar occurrences on the rise, there is growing concern over the safety of carry-on items and calls for stricter regulations surrounding the handling of personal electronic devices and other potentially hazardous materials.
Authorities are reviewing safety standards, air carrier responsibilities, and the broader regulatory framework for managing inflight risks. While terrorism has not been implicated, officials have not ruled out any possibilities and are considering all avenues of investigation. This incident follows closely on the heels of South Korea’s worst aviation disaster, the January crash of a Jeju Air passenger plane at Muan International Airport, which claimed the lives of 179 people.
The investigation continues, with experts aiming to determine the exact cause of the fire and ensure that safety measures are reinforced in the aftermath of this close call.
Recent Random Post:
