Following a tragic accident at Muan International Airport on Sunday that claimed the lives of 179 people, South Korea has announced it will inspect all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by its airlines. The investigation aims to determine the exact cause of the crash and ensure the safety of future flights.
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, led a task force meeting on Monday to urgently review the nation’s aviation systems. As the country grapples with the aftermath of the disaster, Choi emphasized the need for comprehensive reform to the aviation safety framework. “The essence of a responsible response would be renovating the aviation safety systems to prevent recurrences and build a safer South Korea,” Choi remarked.
The Boeing 737-800, a widely used and regarded aircraft, has been distinguished from the controversial 737 Max series, which was previously involved in fatal crashes between 2018 and 2019. Despite the aircraft’s established reputation, South Korea’s transport ministry has decided to audit all 101 Boeing 737-800 jetliners operated by domestic airlines. A particular focus will be on Jeju Air, the airline whose plane crashed on Sunday. It operates 39 Boeing 737-800 planes.
In addition to the aircraft safety review, the investigation will look into potential issues with Muan airport’s localiser, a system designed to guide planes during landings. Officials are considering whether the localiser’s concrete structure should be replaced with lighter materials that would break upon impact, a design already used at other airports in South Korea.
The investigation is also examining potential communication issues between air traffic controllers and the pilots before the crash. Reports suggest that communication during the go-around maneuver may have been disrupted, hindering the pilots’ ability to safely execute the landing.
Flight data and cockpit voice recordings from the crashed aircraft have been sent to a research facility at Gimpo Airport for analysis, as authorities work to uncover the cause of the disaster.
The investigation is also taking place against a backdrop of political unrest following the impeachment of President Yoon. The recent political crisis, which included the imposition of martial law, has raised concerns over the government’s ability to manage the crisis effectively. The resignation of the safety minister and the arrest of the police chief have further added to the uncertainty.
