Fire & Smoke on China Int’l Flight, 3 Taken to Hospital

Source: OT-Team(G), 新民晚报

Smoke from a passenger's portable power bank on an international flight from China to South Korea last week (January 10) sent three cabin crew members to hospital and prompted an official investigation by South Korea's aviation authorities.

• Smoke from power bank on Sanya–Cheongju flight sends three crew to hospital

On January 10, smoke was detected from a portable battery inside a passenger's carry-on bag on T'way Air flight TW634, operating from Sanya, China, to Cheongju, South Korea. Three crew members were later taken to hospital after inhaling smoke while responding to the incident.

According to information released on January 11, the aircraft landed in Cheongju earlier than scheduled without further complications. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has launched an investigation to determine whether the passenger's power bank complied with safety regulations. T'way Air said it is cooperating fully to establish the exact cause.

Flight TW634 is a regular service from Sanya Phoenix International Airport to Cheongju, launched in November last year and operated by T'way Air. It departs Sanya at 01:35 and arrives in Cheongju at 05:40 (Beijing time) on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The incident occurred shortly after takeoff. Cabin crew noticed smoke coming from a power bank in a passenger's carry-on bag, immediately removed the device, and immersed it in water. The aircraft then continued its journey and landed safely ahead of schedule.

There were 32 passengers and six crew members on board. Five passengers and three crew members involved in the emergency response reported discomfort from smoke inhalation. After landing, the affected crew members were taken to hospital for treatment, while the five passengers were assessed and later returned home.

• Similar incident on another regional flight

A day earlier, on January 8, Asiana Airlines reported a cabin fire caused by a passenger's power bank on a flight from Incheon to Hong Kong. The fire was extinguished within minutes. One passenger sustained a minor hand burn, and the aircraft continued to Hong Kong without diversion.

The incidents have renewed attention on the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and portable power banks in carry-on luggage, with authorities reviewing compliance with existing aviation safety regulations.