Asiana Airlines Flight 991 was a cargo flight operating between Seoul, South Korea, and Shanghai, China. On July 28, 2011, the Boeing 747-400F encountered an in-flight fire originating from the cargo hold shortly after takeoff. The fire alarm prompted immediate emergency procedures. The crew communicated their dire situation to air traffic control and initiated a diversion to Jeju International Airport, a nearby island airport, in hopes of landing safely. Despite their efforts, the fire spread rapidly, and the aircraft lost altitude, ultimately crashing into the waters southwest of Jeju Island.

Rescue operations commenced shortly after the aircraft disappeared from radar, involving military and civil resources that scoured the waters for wreckage and any possible survivors. Tragically, both pilots were confirmed deceased following extensive searches. The absence of cargo manifests detailing the contents of the hold sparked investigations into what may have contributed to the fire. This accident led to significant scrutiny regarding cargo flight regulations and fire suppression systems employed in freighter aircraft.

The investigation that followed included both Korean and international aviation safety authorities. The assessment focused not only on the technical aspects of the Boeing 747-400F's systems but also on compliance with regulations regarding the transport of hazardous materials. Findings pointed towards an increased need for stringent protocols concerning cargo safety and fire detection systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.