South Korea's Ministry of Transport has announced that it will remove the concrete embankment at Muan International Airport in response to the Jeju Air crash, the country's worst domestic aviation accident, that occurred last month.
The embankment, which supported a navigation antenna at the end of the runway, is believed to have contributed to the severity of the crash, which killed 179 people. Only two crew members sitting in the back seats of the Boeing 737-800 survived.
The crash of Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 on December 29, 2024 occurred when the plane, which was reportedly affected by a bird strike, crashed into an embankment after landing at high speed without lowering its landing gear. The plane exploded on impact and skidded off the end of the runway.
In its investigation, the ministry cited the role of the embankment in making the disaster more deadly than it otherwise would have been.
As part of the response, authorities announced they would review and adjust similar structures housing instrument landing systems (ILS), or “localizers,” at seven airports, including Muan International Airport and Jeju International Airport.
These adjustments are intended to ensure that the antennas that guide aircraft during landing are placed in safer areas.
“Muan International Airport plans to completely remove the existing concrete embankment and reinstall localizers on a more vulnerable structure,” the Ministry of Transport said in a statement.
The ministry also unveiled plans to expand post-runway safety zones at airports across the country, which have been criticized for not meeting international safety standards.
Currently, the length of the safety zone is required to be at least 240 meters, which will help reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future. Before the crash, the safe zone at Muan Airport was only about 200 meters.
In the aftermath of the accident, police also revealed that Song Chang-wan, former president of the Korea Airports Corporation, who oversaw the structural renovation of Muan Airport, was found dead in his home on Tuesday in an apparent suicide.
Mr. Song is not being investigated in connection with the accident, but authorities confirmed that he has not been summoned for questioning.
The closure of Muan Airport has been extended until April 18 as part of ongoing recovery efforts, the Ministry of Transport confirmed on Saturday.
Bolwatife Enome
follow me:
