On-site investigation of burned-out Air Busan plane to begin

31/1/2025 16:02

Passengers evacuated from an Air Busan plane that was engulfed in flames this week at a South Korean airport will have their checked baggage returned to them, after authorities on Friday deemed the jet safe for a full investigation.



All 169 passengers and seven crew members were evacuated from the Airbus A321ceo using emergency slides after the fire broke out on Tuesday, with only a few minor injuries, Air Busan said.



The fire, which began about 10:15 p.m. as the single-aisle jet was preparing for departure to Hong Kong, was first detected by a flight attendant in an overhead luggage bin in the rear left-hand side of the plane, an Air Busan spokesperson told Reuters on Friday.



Authorities on Friday conducted a risk assessment of the plane, which still had a large amount of fuel and oxygen onboard. The burned-out jet remains on the tarmac at Gimhae International Airport in the southern city of Busan.



The transport ministry on Friday said the 35,900 lbs of jet fuel do not need to be offloaded, and other hazardous materials such as oxygen tanks will be secured. The plane will be covered by a canopy to protect it during the inspection, which will begin on Monday.