An Asiana Airlines Airbus A330-300, registered HL7754, was involved in an onboard fire incident on 8 January 2026 during flight OZ745 from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Hong Kong (HKG).
The aircraft, operating with 284 passengers, was cruising roughly two hours into the journey when a passenger’s power bank entered thermal runaway, triggering a small but dangerous fire in the cabin.
According to The Aviation Herald, the device ignited suddenly, producing flames and smoke—an increasingly familiar hazard associated with lithium‑ion batteries.
Cabin crew responded immediately, using onboard extinguishers to put out the fire within 1–2 minutes, before securing the damaged power bank in a containment bag. Despite the swift action, the passenger who owned the device sustained burns to their hands while attempting to deal with the overheating unit.
Asiana Airlines Flight OZ745 – Seoul to Hong Kong…
The aircraft involved, Airbus A330-323 HL7754, is a long‑serving widebody delivered in 2007 and regularly deployed across Asiana’s regional and medium‑haul network.
Flight history data shows the aircraft had been operating a typical rotation pattern in the days leading up to the incident, including services between Guangzhou, Seoul, and Shenzhen, with no reported technical irregularities.
On the day of the event, OZ745 departed Incheon on schedule and continued to Hong Kong after the fire was extinguished.
The flight landed safely at 22:52 local time, with no further complications reported.
Asiana later confirmed that the aircraft was inspected and subsequently operated its return sector without delay, indicating no structural or systems damage from the incident.
Growing Concern Over Lithium‑Ion Devices
Thermal runaway events involving personal electronic devices remain one of the most persistent safety challenges in modern commercial aviation.
Power banks, laptops, and phones are all subject to strict carriage rules, yet incidents continue to occur—often due to damaged cells, counterfeit batteries, or improper handling.
In this case, the rapid response of the cabin crew prevented escalation.
Lithium‑ion fires can spread quickly and are resistant to conventional extinguishing methods, making early detection and containment essential.
Aftermath and Safety Implications
While the incident resulted in only minor injuries, it underscores the importance of passenger awareness regarding battery safety.
Airlines globally continue to emphasise the need to avoid storing power banks in checked luggage and to monitor devices for signs of swelling, overheating, or physical damage.
For Asiana Airlines, the event appears to have been handled professionally and efficiently, with no operational disruption beyond the immediate response.
HL7754 returned to service promptly, continuing its regular schedule across the carrier’s Asian network.
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