Air Busan Flight 391. Air Busan Flight 391 was a scheduled international passenger flight operated by Air Busan from Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, to Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong. On 28 January 2025, the aircraft caught fire shortly before takeoff at Gimhae International Airport, resulting in 7 injuries and the evacuation of all 176 people on board.

Background

Aircraft 
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A321 registered as HL7763 and had been in service since 2008. It was delivered to Air Busan on 1 June 2017.

Passengers and crew
There were 169 passengers and 6 crew members aboard the plane, as well as 1 maintenance engineer. Most passengers were travelling for the Lunar New Year holidays. The passengers also included 22 foreign nationals, including 18 Chinese, 2 Americans, 1 British and 1 Filipino.

Accident 
The aircraft was about to taxi following a 20-minute delay when a fire broke out at the tail section at around 22:26 KST and spread through the empennage and nearly half of its fuselage. Air Busan said that the fire was spotted by a crew member on an overhead compartment near the rear left side of the cabin. Some passengers said the fire broke following a "crackling" sound. Another passenger said the crew failed to order the evacuation of passengers near the source of the fire and told them to remain seated while they initially tried to put out the flames using a fire extinguisher, by which time embers had already spread to other parts of the aircraft. Other passengers also accused the airline of not having "a proper protocol or manual in place", as airline officials only told them to go home or to the nearest hotel without other instructions.

The airline said that the crew had no time to make an official announcement to the passengers regarding the fire, but said that it had followed all appropriate procedures, adding that the captain immediately shut down the aircraft's hydraulic and fuel systems to prevent secondary damage after being informed by the crew over the fire. Air Busan also said that its crew had prevented a passenger from opening the affected overhead compartment to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, saying that it would have fed more oxygen to the fire and cause its intensification.

All 176 people on board evacuated safely using inflatable slides, including one that was opened by a passenger. Seven minor injuries were reported from the fire; four crew members experienced chest discomfort due to smoke inhalation, while three elderly passengers experienced pain in their tailbones and backs. The fire generated holes along the length of the fuselage roof. Firefighters arrived at the scene at 22:34 KST. The fire was put out at 23:31 KST before it could reach the aircraft's wings, which carried 35,000 pounds of fuel.  

The fire was the first accident involving Air Busan since 2013.

Investigation 
Acting president and prime minister Choi Sang-mok ordered a thorough investigation into the accident. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport deployed officials to the site and established an emergency response team. The flight data recorders were recovered following the fire, while a team from the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety was also sent to investigate the incident on account of the origins of the aircraft's manufacturer. Authorities declared that a probe would begin on 3 February and ruled that the removal of the aircraft's fuel was not necessary following safety checks.

Amid suspicions that the fire was caused by a battery that had been placed inside a carry-on bag in the overhead compartment, the South Korean government was reported to be reviewing procedures on the handling of batteries inside aircraft.

See also 

 Kolavia Flight 348 - Another aircraft that caught fire mid-taxi before takeoff
 China Airlines Flight 120 - Another aircraft that caught fire at the gate

References

External links 
 Accident Description from Aviation Safety Network

2025 disasters in South Korea
2025 fires in Asia
January 2025 events in South Korea
Aviation accidents and incidents in 2025
Aviation accidents and incidents in South Korea
Aircraft fires
Fires in Busan
Gangseo District, Busan
Accidents and incidents involving the Airbus A321