South Korea announced plans to upgrade safety measures at several airports after the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport on December 29, 2024, which claimed 179 lives and became the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil.
The crash involved a Boeing 737-800 flying from Thailand to Muan in the southwest. The aircraft, carrying 181 passengers and crew, belly-landed at the airport and burst into flames after hitting a concrete navigation barrier known as a localiser. Only two flight attendants survived the crash.
Authorities are investigating the crash alongside U.S. experts, focusing on multiple potential causes. A significant question is why the concrete localiser, used to guide planes during landings, was positioned at the end of the runway.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport stated that safety inspections revealed the need for immediate improvements to localisers at seven airports, including Muan and Jeju International Airport.
Key measures include relocating localiser foundations underground and replacing concrete barriers with lightweight, breakable steel structures. At Muan, the existing concrete barriers will be completely removed and replaced with safer alternatives.
"This measure prioritises immediate safety concerns," said Transport Minister Park Sang-woo. He added that broader aviation safety improvements, including bird strike prevention plans, will be developed following further investigations.
The crash occurred after the pilot reported a bird strike during the initial landing attempt. The plane crashed during a second attempt when the landing gear failed to deploy. Feathers were discovered in both engines, suggesting a bird strike as a potential cause.
Adding to the complexity, black boxes from the flight stopped recording four minutes before the disaster, leaving critical data unavailable.
The Ministry of Land has begun a comprehensive survey of bird-attracting facilities near airports to mitigate risks. As a precaution, Muan International Airport's closure has been extended until April 18, 2025.
Memorials have been set up nationwide as South Korea mourns the tragedy, with safety reforms now underway to prevent future incidents.
Channelstv
