Emergency Evacuation as Plane From Jin Air Encounters Technical Issue During Take Off Preparations

A technical malfunction on a Jin Air aircraft forced the emergency evacuation of 122 passengers and crew members on January 2, disrupting the scheduled departure from South Korea’s Jeju International Airport. The incident occurred during the boarding phase when smoke began to accumulate in the cabin, prompting immediate safety protocols and the swift exit of all individuals aboard.

Auxiliary Power Unit Defect Identified as Root Cause

Investigation into the incident revealed that the smoke was triggered by overheating within the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU), a critical component located at the rear of the plane. The APU, which provides independent power and air conditioning when the main engines are not operating, experienced a mechanical fault that caused thermal buildup. Jin Air officials confirmed that the situation did not escalate to a fire, and no emergency dispatch of the fire department was required.

Controlled Evacuation Process and Safety Response

Ground crew and airline staff executed a controlled evacuation procedure, successfully moving all 122 individuals from the plane to safety. The incident, originally scheduled for a 12:25 p.m. local departure time bound for Pohang, was halted before the plane could take off. Authorities confirmed that the evacuation process proceeded without injury or complication, demonstrating the effectiveness of established aviation safety procedures during equipment failures.

Investigation Ongoing Following Take Off Cancellation

Following the successful evacuation, the aircraft was grounded for comprehensive technical inspection and detailed analysis of the APU failure. Industry sources noted that auxiliary power unit defects, while uncommon, represent a category of mechanical issues that aviation maintenance teams routinely address during pre-flight safety checks. The plane remained out of service pending completion of necessary repairs and certification for future flights.