Delay in Joint Investigation of Air Busan Aircraft Fire... "Additional Aviation Fuel Poses Fire Risk"

16 Tons of Aviation Fuel Loaded on Both Wings
If Fuel Removal Is Required, Inspection Expected to Be Delayed by at Least 2 to 3 Days

The joint inspection to investigate the cause of the Air Busan passenger plane fire accident at Gimhae Airport is reported to be possibly delayed due to issues with aviation fuel.

On the 29th, at Gimhae International Airport in Gangseo-gu, Busan, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun, along with fire authorities and related airport officials, are observing the Air Busan passenger plane fire scene. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 30th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) announced that after discussions with the Busan Police Agency, Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, and the National Forensic Service, the schedule for the joint inspection to determine the cause of the Air Busan BX391 flight aircraft fire accident will be postponed until a decision is made regarding the removal of aviation fuel.

To proceed with the joint inspection, the stability of the loaded aviation fuel must be secured. Currently, about 35,000 pounds (approximately 16 tons) of aviation fuel are loaded on both wings of the crashed aircraft, making it impossible to rule out the possibility of an explosion due to additional fire. The ARAIB plans to decide on whether to remove the aviation fuel after discussions with representatives from the French Accident Investigation Authority, who arrived at Gimhae Airport in the afternoon. The decision on removing the aviation fuel will be made by Airbus officials who designed and manufactured the A321, the model of flight BX391. According to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, the country that designed and manufactured the aircraft must participate in the accident investigation.

If it is determined that the aviation fuel does not need to be removed, the joint inspection is expected to proceed immediately on the 31st. However, if all fuel must be drained due to the risk of further accidents, the joint inspection is expected to be delayed by at least 2 to 3 days. Additionally, since the cockpit, which contains the switch to operate fuel discharge, was partially destroyed, it may take longer to remove the fuel. Therefore, the ARAIB is reportedly considering a method of removing the fuel using gravity rather than a pump. In this case, fuel discharge would take more than 24 hours.

As the on-site inspection is delayed, the police investigation has also been postponed accordingly. The police plan to verify whether charges of professional negligence causing injury can be applied to the airline and others. Along with this, they will check baggage regulations and aircraft electrical system issues to determine any negligence. The ARAIB and others plan to focus on identifying the point where the aircraft fire started and the cause once the joint inspection proceeds.