South Korean authorities announced Wednesday that they will change the concrete barriers used for navigation at some airports across the country following the Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people.
On December 29, the Boeing 737-800 was flying from Thailand to Muan in the southwest with 181 passengers and crew on board when it crashed into a concrete fence and exploded in a fireball. did.
It became the worst air accident in history on mainland South Korea.
Investigators in South Korea and the United States are still investigating the cause of the crash, which prompted nationwide mourning and monuments erected across the country.
Several possible causes have been highlighted, but questions have been raised about why concrete barricades known as localizers and used to help planes land were placed at the end of the runway.
“As a result of special safety inspections, it was found that the localizers at seven airports across the country require improvements,” the Ministry of Lands said in a statement.
These include Muan International Airport and Jeju International Airport. Jeju International Airport is a popular tourist attraction and the second largest airport in the country after Incheon, which serves the capital, Seoul.
The measures include “relocating the foundation underground and replacing it with a lightweight steel structure.''
The existing concrete mound at Muan International Airport will be completely removed and the localizer will be “reinstalled using frangible structures.”
“This measure prioritizes actions that require immediate action,” said Transport Minister Park Sang-woo.
“Through further research and consideration, we will establish bird strike prevention improvements and an aviation safety innovation plan,” he said.
At the moment of the accident, the pilot warned of a bird strike before attempting the first landing. The plane crashed on the second attempt when its landing gear failed to raise.
According to South Korean media reports, feathers were found in both engines and a bird strike is being considered as one of the causes.
According to the ministry, a comprehensive survey of bird-attracting facilities around the airport began on Monday as part of the “Bird Strike Prevention Development Plan.''
The investigation became more murky after the Department of Transportation announced that the black box containing the crashed flight's flight data and cockpit voice recorder had stopped recording four minutes before the crash.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced on Saturday that the closure period of Muan Airport will be extended for another three months until April 18.
hs/ceb/hmn
