Authorities inspect the wreckage of the aircraft ahead of a joint investigation into the Air Busan fire at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Thursday. Yonhap

Following the recent Air Busan aircraft fire, public concerns over aviation safety are growing. Experts emphasize that the "golden time" for evacuation in an aircraft accident is just 90 seconds. All passenger planes are designed to allow full evacuation within this time frame. To enhance survival chances, specialists stress adherence to three key safety rules.

Carry power banks, do not store them in overhead bins

Devices such as power banks, which pose fire and explosion risks, should be carried directly rather than stored in overhead bins. If packed inside luggage in the overhead compartment, pressure can increase the risk of fire, and early detection becomes difficult.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's aviation hazardous materials transportation standards, lithium-metal and lithium-ion batteries are classified as dangerous goods. While lithium-metal batteries, commonly used in cameras and medical devices, have a lower explosion risk, their lithium content must be under 2 grams to be permitted in checked or carry-on baggage. Lithium-ion batteries, used in laptops and smartphones, have a slightly higher explosion risk. Those under 100 watt-hours (Wh) can be carried on board or checked in, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval and can only be carried onboard. Power banks, which also use lithium-ion batteries, are subject to stricter rules: they cannot be checked in under any circumstances, regardless of their capacity.

Experts warn that lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if compressed or damaged. The recent Air Busan fire is suspected to have originated from a power bank stored in an overhead bin. Kong Ha-sung, a professor at Woosuk University's Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention, said, "Power banks should always be carried personally inside the cabin," adding that "fires in overhead bins are harder to detect quickly." Lee Young-joo, a professor at Kyungil University's Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention, also advised, "Keeping power banks within reach allows passengers to notice excessive heating early on. It is also important to prevent batteries from being crushed or subject to impact."

Follow crew instructions and leave baggage behind during evacuation

In the event of an emergency evacuation, passengers must strictly follow crew instructions regarding emergency exit use. Reports indicate that during the Air Busan fire, a passenger opened the emergency exit before receiving instructions from the crew — a highly dangerous action, experts say. Since flight attendants are trained to assess external conditions and coordinate with pilots, their instructions should always be followed. Kim Kyu-wang, an aviation professor at Hanseo University, said, "Flight attendants check external hazards and communicate with the captain before guiding passengers on exit locations and precautions. For instance, engines must be turned off before evacuation. If a passenger opens an emergency exit prematurely, they could be sucked into the engine."

Passengers must also evacuate without carrying any personal belongings. With only 90 seconds available for escape, even a few seconds of delay to retrieve luggage could endanger multiple lives. Choi In-chan, an aviation professor at Silla University, stressed, "Quick decision-making and action are crucial for a successful evacuation. Blocking the aisle while retrieving items from an overhead bin is strictly forbidden."

Not only should items in overhead bins be left behind, but even bags placed at one's feet must be abandoned. Choi warned, "Evacuation slides are steep. Holding a bag while descending can lead to injuries, and sharp objects such as zippers could tear the rubber slide." Kim also added, "Loose baggage can obstruct other passengers or cause injuries. High heels, which can damage the evacuation slide, should also be removed before exiting."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.