A tragic aviation disaster struck South Korea when a Jeju Air flight from Thailand to Muan International Airport crashed on December 29. The Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 passengers and crew, crashed during its second landing attempt, claiming the lives of 179 individuals. This catastrophe marks the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil. Investigations have linked a bird strike as a potential cause, with feathers found in both engines of the plane adding weight to this theory.
The pilot had issued a warning about a bird strike before the crash, but the landing gear failed to emerge during the second attempt to land at Muan airport. The black boxes on board ceased recording four minutes before the disaster, presenting challenges to investigators seeking to uncover the precise sequence of events that led to this tragedy.
In response to the crash, the South Korean transport ministry has launched a comprehensive survey of bird-attracting facilities near airports, which began on Monday. The ministry also plans to remove concrete mounds at Muan International Airport and reinstall the localiser using breakable structures. This measure aims to improve safety by reducing risks associated with solid structures during emergencies.
"a special safety inspection revealed that improvements are needed for localisers at seven airports around the country" – Ministry of Land
The closure period for Muan International Airport has been extended until April 18, allowing authorities to conduct necessary inspections and implement safety measures. The Ministry of Land has highlighted plans to relocate localiser foundations underground and replace them with lightweight steel structures to enhance safety.
"relocating the foundations underground and replacing them with lightweight steel structures" – Ministry of Land
Transport Minister Park Sang-woo underscored the urgency of these actions, emphasizing that the measures prioritize immediate safety concerns in order to prevent future incidents.
"This measure prioritises actions requiring immediate attention" – Transport Minister Park Sang-woo
Leave a Reply