The probe into the destruction of an Air Busan airliner in late February 2025, has produced an interim report. In this document, authorities pose the alarming question, did a power bank destroy an airliner? A fire broke out in the rear of the Airbus passenger compartment, as the aircraft was preparing to take off. All on board managed to escape the inferno that followed.
Power Bank Debris in Overhead Passenger Compartment
BBC News reported on March 14, 2025, that there was clear evidence that a power bank sparked the electric fire. Authorities found the scorched debris of a power bank in an overhead passenger compartment, in the area where the fire broke out.
This information comes from a South Korea transport ministry report, affirming this finding indicates how fire may have started. They believe this could have occurred “because insulation inside the power bank battery had broken down”.
However, the investigators are still mystified as to what caused the insulation inside the power bank battery to fail. At this stage the investigation is still in progress.
Does This Validate Korea’s New Airliner Battery Rules?
BBC News confirms that “airlines around the world have banned power banks from checked luggage for years, due to safety concerns”. The news channel suggests that this decision “relates to the lithium-ion batteries inside the devices”.
South Korea banned the use of power banks on Korean flights after the Air Busan incident, and insists that passengers now carry them on their persons. Although US Federal Aviation Administration still allows these devices as carry-on luggage, on aircraft within capacity limits.
It seems the answer to the question, did a power bank destroy an airliner, is likely to be in the affirmative. We hear that other carriers are following Air Busan’s example, including China Airlines and Thai Airways, most recently.
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Aircraft Battery Fires Smouldering On
