On January 28, 2025, a dramatic incident occurred at Busan Gimhae International Airport (PUS) when an Airbus A321 operated by South Korean airline Air Busan caught fire shortly before takeoff to Hong Kong. The fire broke out on the rear of the aircraft, leading to a quick and successful evacuation attempt for the 168 passengers and seven crew members. Despite the rapid response of the fire brigade and the rapid evacuation, three people were injured, but their lives were not in danger.
The incident occurred at around 22:30 p.m. local time, as the plane was preparing to take off. Initial reports from South Korea, confirmed by Yonhap news agency, indicated that the fire broke out near the tail of the Airbus A321-232, registration HL7763. The plane was not yet in the air at the time, and the fire started just before takeoff.
The passengers and crew members were able to leave the aircraft using the emergency slides, which were activated by the cabin crew. A total of 175 people were able to get to safety. However, three of them suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and were immediately given medical treatment on site. The Busan fire department, which arrived at the scene within minutes, was able to quickly extinguish the fire. According to the fire department, the fire was under control when the rescue services arrived and there were no further signs of the flames spreading to other parts of the aircraft.
Images captured by eyewitnesses and rescue workers and shared on social media show the damaged tail of the aircraft, which was clearly affected by the flames. The damage to the Airbus A321 is significant, with the rear section of the aircraft particularly affected. It remains to be seen whether the aircraft will be classified as a total loss due to the incident or if repair is possible.
Rapid response by authorities and investigations
The South Korean airport authorities and local fire departments were extremely quick and professional. A fire department spokesperson confirmed that all 176 people on the plane were evacuated, but they were continuing to check inside to make sure no one was left behind. Fortunately, no one was reported missing and all passengers were able to leave the plane in time.
South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Initial reports suggested it was a fire in the rear section, although the exact circumstances are still unclear. Investigators are expected to attempt to assess the extent of the damage and determine the cause of the incident in the coming days.
The incident comes just weeks after another tragic incident in South Korea. On December 29, 2024, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air crashed into a local radio beacon at Muan International Airport (MWX), killing 179 people. Two flight attendants survived the accident, and a preliminary investigation suggested that a bird strike was a possible cause of the crash.
investigations and other safety aspects
The Air Busan Airbus A321 had only left the gate a few minutes before the fire and was preparing to enter the airspace. A fire at this stage of flight preparation, just before takeoff, represents a potentially very dangerous situation. Although the evacuation was carried out quickly, such incidents raise questions about safety and security precautions.
Both the airline and the relevant aviation authorities are expected to closely examine the safety procedures used and the crew's conduct during the evacuation. The crew's quick response and effective use of the emergency slides certainly prevented a major disaster, but the exact cause of the fire remains to be seen.
The aviation industry worldwide has repeatedly responded to security gaps and new challenges in recent years. Incidents such as the Air Busan fire and the Jeju Air plane crash remind us of the importance of ongoing training for crew and the need for constant monitoring of aircraft in order to identify potential dangers at an early stage.