Government data showed Sunday that Korean airlines had suffered 13 airplane fires between 2020 and 2024 caused by batteries for electronic devices, as related safety concerns gain renewed attention in the wake of an aircraft fire last month.
There were 13 cases caused directly by batteries carried onboard by passengers — one in 2020, none in 2021 and 2022, six in 2023 and six last year — according to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport data provided to Rep. Lee Yeon-hee of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
The number of fires caused by passengers' batteries prior to 2020 cannot be confirmed, as such cases were previously recorded together with other fires started by passengers' belongings.
None of the 13 cases caused substantial damage to the aircraft, as they lasted between 20 seconds and five minutes before being extinguished.
Aircraft run by Korean Air and Air Busan each accounted for three of the fires, two fires occurred onboard planes operated by Jeju Air, and one fire occurred each on flights flown by Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, T'Way Air, Eastar Jet and Air Premia.
Portable power banks for mobile phones were responsible for nine fires, and two other cases were attributed to an e-cigarette battery and smartphone battery, respectively. The specific item that caused the two remaining fires was not specified.
Concern over portable chargers and power banks onboard airplanes has been spreading across the country, as preliminary investigation of the Jan. 28 fire on an Air Busan aircraft suggests that a portable power bank in the overhead bin could have been the origin of the fire. No deaths or severe injuries occurred in the fire, but the flames caused severe damage to the aircraft.
Batteries and power banks can catch fire or explode in case of a short circuit, significant damage or overheating.
In light of the incident, airlines across the country have implemented safety guidelines and procedures concerning the portable power banks, most notably prohibiting passengers from storing batteries in overhead bins or mandating them to put the portable power banks inside transparent plastic ziplock bags. The flight crew of Air Busan have been putting stickers on carry-on luggage without batteries inside, allowing them to be put on the overhead bin.
The Transport Ministry on Friday met with major domestic airlines on Friday to discuss potential measures on portable power banks on aircraft, with speculations that officials may soon announce the state regulations on batteries, chargers and portable power banks.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
