Muan International Airport Crash Explications

On Dec. 29, a Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people crashed at Muan International Airport, killing 179 and leaving only two survivors. The plane successfully executed a belly landing but overshot the runway and collided with a localizer embankment, triggering a fatal explosion. The embankment, supported by 19 concrete pillars, has been heavily criticized for exacerbating the casualties.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) defended the embankment’s compliance with domestic and international standards, emphasizing that the runway end safety area (RESA) extends 199 meters, exceeding the 90-meter minimum requirement. However, critics argue that the embankment, located 264 meters from the runway’s end, should have been designed with breakable materials in line with operational safety standards. The embankment was initially built in 2007 and underwent renovations in 2023, adding a concrete slab for structural reinforcement.

The dispute centers on differences between installation and operational standards. While installation standards allowed the use of robust materials, operational standards require breakable structures for navigational aids within 240 meters of the runway. MOLIT admitted these inconsistencies and pledged to harmonize the regulations to prioritize safety.

The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board confirmed a bird strike occurred, with feathers found in one of the engines. Investigators are determining whether both engines were affected. They are collaborating with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to analyze flight data and identify the bird species involved.

MOLIT plans to revise conflicting standards, improve safety regulations, and enhance facility designs. Meanwhile, the accident investigation continues, focusing on engine failure causes, regulatory compliance, and contributing factors to the high death toll.