Investigation Summary
The flight was a multi-stop domestic service originating in Lanzhou with intermediate stops in Xi'an and Changsha. During the final leg to Guangzhou, as the aircraft was established on approach, smoke began to fill the passenger cabin. The cabin crew attempted to combat the fire with extinguishers but were unable to control the blaze. Despite the deteriorating conditions in the cabin and the deployment of oxygen masks, the flight crew maintained control and performed a successful landing at Baiyun Airport. Once the aircraft came to a stop, an emergency evacuation was initiated. However, the fire intensified rapidly upon landing, likely fed by the oxygen system in the rear cabin. While 44 occupants managed to escape, 25 passengers were overcome by smoke and toxic fumes and died inside the aircraft. Additionally, 26 survivors, including 4 crew members, suffered injuries during the emergency. The Ilyushin Il-18B was subsequently consumed by the fire.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the fire was caused by a passenger who discarded a lit cigarette in the rear of the cabin. The cigarette ignited nearby materials in close proximity to an oxygen tank, leading to a fire that the crew could not suppress in flight. The primary cause of death for the 25 fatalities was determined to be asphyxia.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Cabin Oxygen System
The fire was believed to have been exacerbated by its proximity to an oxygen tank located in the rear of the cabin.
Fire Suppression Equipment
Handheld extinguishers were used by the cabin crew in an attempt to stop the fire, but they were ineffective against the growing blaze.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Soviet-built Ilyushin Il-18B with Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 189 0014 01, manufactured in 1959.
- 02All 25 fatalities were caused by asphyxiation rather than impact injuries.
- 03The flight had 58 passengers and 11 crew members on board.
- 04The fire originated in the rear of the cabin near an oxygen tank.
- 05The aircraft was performing a scheduled revenue flight with multiple stops including Xi'an and Changsha.
- 06A total of 26 people (22 passengers and 4 crew) were injured in the accident.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Smoking Restrictions
The accident highlighted the severe fire risks of smoking on board transport aircraft, contributing to the eventual global ban on in-flight smoking.