South Korean authorities have announced plans to overhaul safety barriers at seven airports across the country in the wake of the tragic Jeju Air crash in late December, which claimed 179 lives.
The accident occurred at Muan Airport in the southwestern region, prompting a comprehensive safety review.
On December 29, a Jeju Air Boeing aircraft arriving from Bangkok crash-landed at Muan Airport without deploying its landing gear.
The plane skidded down the runway and collided with a concrete barrier equipped with a navigation aid, transforming into a ball of fire.
Only two crew members survived out of all those onboard Flight 2216, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea's history, according to AFP.
The crash has raised questions about the placement of concrete structures at the end of runways, particularly those used to house navigation aids designed to guide aircraft during landings.
In a statement, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced plans to replace these concrete structures with lightweight steel frames at seven airports, including those in Muan and Jeju Island, to enhance safety.
Investigations into the crash have suggested multiple contributing factors. The National Institute of Biological Resources revealed that bird feathers were found in the engines of the ill-fated aircraft, supporting the theory of a bird strike.
The Muan Airport control tower reportedly issued a warning about potential bird activity to the flight crew just three minutes before the crash. The pilot also sent out a distress signal prior to the emergency landing.
Lead investigator Lee Seung-yul confirmed during a press conference that feathers were discovered in one of the engines.
However, he clarified that a bird strike alone would not necessarily lead to immediate engine failure. Another challenge for investigators is the malfunction of the aircraft’s black boxes, which stopped recording flight data four minutes before the crash.
Follow the latest news on Google News
