A routine flight turned into a dramatic emergency when an Air Busan Airbus A321ceo caught fire at Gimhae International Airport on Tuesday night. The aircraft, preparing for departure to Hong Kong, was quickly engulfed in flames, prompting an urgent evacuation of all 169 passengers and seven crew members on board.
Authorities in Busan confirmed that three individuals sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. Fire services were alerted to the emergency shortly before 10:30 p.m., with initial reports suggesting that the blaze originated in the aircraft’s tail section.
Footage broadcast by local media showed emergency slides deployed on both sides of the single-aisle plane, as firefighters battled heavy smoke and visible flames. Later images from Yonhap News revealed extensive damage, including burned-out sections along the fuselage roof.
The incident comes just one month after South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades, when a Jeju Air flight from Bangkok crashed at Muan Airport during an emergency landing, claiming the lives of 179 people. The latest accident raises renewed concerns about aviation safety within the country.
Air Busan, a budget carrier affiliated with Asiana Airlines, has yet to issue an official statement regarding the cause of the fire. Asiana, recently acquired by Korean Air, has also remained silent on the matter. Meanwhile, Airbus confirmed it was aware of the situation and was in contact with the airline to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The affected aircraft, registered as HL7763, is a 17-year-old Airbus A321ceo, according to the Aviation Safety Network. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, as aviation authorities work to determine whether mechanical failure or external factors played a role in the emergency.
While aviation safety standards remain stringent, this latest fire incident underscores the challenges facing the industry and the critical importance of rigorous maintenance and emergency preparedness. Passengers and industry stakeholders alike will be closely watching the investigation’s findings as South Korea seeks to uphold its aviation safety record in the wake of recent tragedies.