A fire broke out in the tail section of an Air Busan (BX) Airbus A321 at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on Tuesday night (January 30, 2024). The incident, which occurred at 10:30 p.m., prompted an immediate emergency response, ensuring the safe evacuation of all passengers and crew.
Air Busan A321 Fire: Incident Overview
The aircraft, reportedly Airbus A321-231 registered HL7729, was preparing for Flight BX391 to Hong Kong (HKG) when smoke and flames were detected in its tail section.
Key Facts of the Incident:
- Time: 10:30 p.m. (Local Time)
- Location: Gimhae International Airport, Busan, South Korea
- Aircraft Involved: Airbus A321-231 (HL7729)
- Operator: Air Busan (BX)
- Flight Number: BX391
- Destination: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Engines: IAE V2500
- Passengers & Crew Evacuated: 176 people
- Casualties/Injuries: None reported
Emergency response teams acted swiftly, deploying fire suppression systems and coordinating the evacuation of all onboard passengers and crew.
Fire Containment & Investigation
- Firefighters continued working to fully extinguish the flames after the successful evacuation.
- Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, and investigations are underway.
- Flight operations at Gimhae International Airport remained unaffected, but safety protocols are being reassessed.
Recent Similar Incident: Haneda Airport Collision
This incident comes just weeks after a catastrophic aviation accident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on January 2, 2024.
Haneda Airport Runway Collision: Key Facts
- Aircraft Involved:
- Japan Airlines (JL) Airbus A350 (Flight JL516 from Shin Chitose Airport)
- Japan Coast Guard aircraft
- Fatalities: Five Coast Guard crew members died; the pilot survived.
- Passengers & Crew on JAL A350: 379 people evacuated safely.
- Damage: The Airbus A350 burst into flames after impact.
- Response: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered a full investigation.
- Airport Impact: Haneda Airport temporarily shut down all runways following the accident.
Comparison: Busan vs. Haneda Incidents
| Incident | Location | Aircraft | Casualties | Cause | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Busan A321 Fire | Gimhae Airport, South Korea | Airbus A321-231 | None | Under Investigation | Minimal disruption |
| Haneda Airport Collision | Tokyo Haneda, Japan | JAL Airbus A350 & Coast Guard aircraft | 5 fatalities (Coast Guard crew) | Runway collision | Full runway closure |
While both incidents raised aviation safety concerns, the Busan event resulted in no casualties due to effective evacuation protocols, whereas the Haneda crash led to fatalities and a temporary airport shutdown.
Aviation Safety & Emergency Response
The Air Busan Airbus A321 fire highlights the importance of rapid emergency response in aviation incidents. The safe evacuation of 176 passengers and crew demonstrates the effectiveness of airline safety protocols. However, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities will continue investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, the Haneda Airport disaster serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with runway operations and air traffic control coordination. As investigations continue in both cases, airlines and airports worldwide are expected to reassess their safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
