In brief
Authorities in South Korea have indicated that a portable power bank may have initiated a fire on an Air Busan aircraft, causing minor injuries to passengers.
South Korean authorities have reported that a fire that engulfed an Air Busan passenger aircraft at Gimhae International Airport on January 28 was likely ignited by a malfunctioning portable power bank. The interim investigation, released by the transport ministry, suggests that the fire started in the luggage compartment due to insulation breakdown within the power bank's battery. Debris from the device, which was found in an overhead compartment along with scorch marks, has raised safety concerns.Investigators have yet to determine the reason behind the battery's breakdown. The findings are preliminary and do not represent a final accident report pertaining to the Airbus A321ceo aircraft.Globally, airlines have prohibited power banks from being included in checked luggage due to safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which can explode or catch fire under certain conditions. In a bid to enhance safety, these batteries have been banned from passenger plane cargo holds since 2016 as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.Following the incident, Air Busan tightened its regulations, prohibiting power banks from being stored in cabins. The airline's decision was prompted by recent incidents of overheating power banks. In response to the threat posed by them, several airlines, including China Airlines and Thai Airways, have enacted similar bans, with Singapore Airlines also set to restrict power bank use starting April 1.On February 28, South Korea's government mandated that passengers must carry portable batteries and chargers with them instead of stowing them in overhead compartments, highlighting a growing concern for air travel safety in relation to lithium-ion technology.
