Qantas 737 catches fire

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VYI (MSN 34181)

A Qantas Boeing 737-800 sustained severe damage in a fire, resulting in significant damage to the fuselage. This has necessitated Boeing's involvement to supervise repairs, rendering the aircraft out of service. A Qantas engineer reported that the vacuum's battery overheated after being left on the aircraft, causing a fire that remained undetected for several hours.

The damage was limited to the rear cargo area, and the fire was extinguished within minutes. The maintenance provider in Hong Kong holds CASA accreditation, with all work supervised and approved by an on-site Qantas engineer. The incident occurred in early May, but the information has just come to light. 

VH-VYI left Cairns (CNS/YBCS) as QF6033 at 11.37 pm and flew to Hong Kong (HKG/VHHH) for maintenance works on 23rd of April 2025, according to flight radar

VH-VYI first flew as N1786B on the 14th of December 2005, it was entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VYI on the 16th of December 2005. This was the 33rd Boeing 737 delivered to Qantas.

The aircraft is due to return to service in mid-July and there are no impacts to scheduled flights.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Qantas

Code: QF / QFA

Aircraft: Boeing 737-838 

Registration: VH-VYI

Serial Number: 34181 
Engines 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B26

First Flew 14/12/2005

Age: 19.6 Years