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Date:
Sunday 15 March 2026
Time:
c 16:10
Type of Aircraft:
Boeing 737-8FE (WL) (Silhouette image of generic B738 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different)
Owner/Operator:
Virgin Australia Airlines
Registration:
VH-YFU
MSN:
41029/5600
Year of Manufacture:
2015
Engine Model:
CFMI CFM56-7B
Fatalities:
0 / Occupants: Not specified
Other Fatalities:
0
Aircraft Damage:
None
Category:
Incident
Location:
near Melbourne-Tullamarine Airport, VIC (MEL/YMML) – Australia
Phase:
Approach
Nature:
Passenger – Scheduled
Departure Airport:
Brisbane International Airport, QLD (BNE/YBBN)
Destination Airport:
Melbourne-Tullamarine Airport, VIC (MEL/YMML)
Investigating Agency:
Not specified
Confidence Rating:
Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
Circumstances:
Virgin Australia flight VA328 was operating a scheduled passenger service from Brisbane to Melbourne. During the approach phase to Melbourne-Tullamarine Airport, a passenger’s vape pen battery suffered a thermal runaway.
The flight crew and cabin crew managed the cabin event, and the aircraft continued to Melbourne where it landed safely. Emergency services attended following the landing.
No injuries were reported in the available reporting, and no aircraft damage was reported. The ICAO occurrence category listed for the event was CABIN: Cabin Safety Events.
Sources:
https://www.9news.com.au/national/virgin-australia-flight-emergency-fire-melbourne/0596bd86-adb7-4a58-a2b6-0d0c663cc0b6
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/va328#3ebf8237
Carter Capner Law monitors accidents involving light aircraft, helicopters, charter flights, balloons, commuter aircraft and airlines throughout Australia and overseas to spotlight safety issues of concern to our clients and to demonstrate those situations in which they may have a right to an insurance or compensation recovery. We act for pilots, passengers, operators, aircraft owners and aviation employees worldwide. Call today on 1300 529 529 or click here to reach Carter Capner Law. Click on Client Showcase to view our history of aircraft accident compensation claims.