Foreign
Preliminary Investigation Points to Power Bank as Possible Cause of Air Busan Fire.
South Korea’s Ministry of Transport has released interim findings regarding the fire that destroyed an Air Busan A321ceo aircraft (flight 298690 KS) in January. The investigation suggests a spare power bank may have been the origin of the blaze.
Analysis of debris recovered from the luggage bin above row 30, where the fire originated, revealed scorch marks indicative of a potential insulation breakdown within the power bank’s battery. While the specific cause of this breakdown remains under investigation, lithium batteries are known to pose a fire risk due to short circuits caused by manufacturing defects or damage.
Importantly, investigators have not identified any anomalies in the aircraft’s own electrical systems.
The South Korean Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board continues to lead the inquiry, with a final report expected within one year of the incident, as mandated by global aviation standards. This preliminary assessment underscores the potential dangers associated with carrying damaged or faulty lithium batteries on board aircraft.