Seoul: The investigation of a fire that ravaged an Air Busan aircraft at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, is encountering obstacles due to the substantial amount of jet fuel and oxygen still inside the aircraft, an air crash investigation official revealed, as per Reuters report.
On Friday, a risk assessment was conducted to prepare for an in-depth probe into the charred remains of the Airbus (AIR.PA) A321ceo, which still sits on the runway. The fire erupted around 10:15 p.m. (1315 GMT) on Tuesday as the aircraft was gearing up for a flight to Hong Kong. It was first spotted by a flight attendant in a luggage compartment at the back left of the cabin, Air Busan stated on Friday.
All 169 passengers and seven crew members were safely evacuated via emergency slides, with only minor injuries reported, as confirmed by Air Busan.
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This disaster follows last month’s tragic event where a Jeju Air (089590.KS) plane crashed during an emergency landing at Muan Airport, claiming nearly all lives on board with only two survivors out of 181.
HAZARDOUS FUEL DELAYS INVESTIGATION
The affected Air Busan aircraft, aged 17 years and designed as a single-aisle jet, now shows burnt patches along the top of its fuselage. However, its wings and engines escaped the blaze, according to the South Korean transport ministry. The plane still holds about 35,900 lbs (16,280 kg) of jet fuel along with other potentially dangerous materials like oxygen tanks, as per a ministry statement.
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The ministry is currently deliberating whether the fuel should be removed before the investigation can fully proceed.
South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board is spearheading the inquiry, with assistance from representatives of France’s BEA due to France’s role in the design of Airbus planes.
