B744, en-route, East China Sea, 2011

B744, en-route, East China Sea, 2011

Summary

On 28 July 2011, 50 minutes after take off from Incheon, the crew of an Asiana Boeing 747-400F declared an emergency advising a main deck fire and an intention to divert to Jeju. The effects of the rapidly escalating fire eventually made it impossible to retain control and the aircraft crashed into the sea. The Investigation concluded that the origin of the fire was two adjacent pallets towards the rear of the main deck which contained Dangerous Goods shipments including Lithium ion batteries and flammable substances and that the aircraft had broken apart in mid-air following the loss of control.

Description

On 28 July 2011, a Boeing 747-400F (HL7604) being operated by Asiana on a scheduled cargo flight from Incheon to Shanghai Pudong as AAR 991 declared an emergency due to a main deck fire whilst in the cruise at FL340 in day VMC approximately 50 minutes after take off. An emergency descent and diversion to Jeju were initiated but after indications from crew radio calls that it was becoming difficult to retain control of the aircraft, there was no further contact and wreckage from the aircraft was subsequently found in the sea.

Investigation

The accident occurred in international waters and the Investigation was carried out by the ARAIB (Aircraft and Railway Accident Investigation Board) of the State of the Operator, South Korea.

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