South Korea to Equip Airports with Advanced Bird Detection Technology

Following an investigation revealing a bird strike as a potential factor in a deadly crash, South Korea plans to implement bird detection cameras and thermal imaging radars at all airports to enhance safety measures.

All airports in South Korea are set to implement state-of-the-art bird detection cameras and thermal imaging radars by 2026, as part of a government response to a fatal air crash that occurred in December last year. The plane, a Boeing 737-800, tragically crashed, resulting in the loss of 179 lives, making it the deadliest aviation incident in the nation's history. Preliminary investigations indicate a bird strike could have contributed to the crash, with feathers and blood stains discovered on the jet's engines. The Ministry of Land stated that the new detection systems would improve early warning capabilities to pilots and enhance overall safety on the tarmac.

The initiatives, part of a broader safety review, will aid air traffic controllers by providing critical data on bird movements and sizes, thereby improving response times for aircraft navigating flight paths potentially jeopardized by avian activity. Currently, only four out of South Korea’s airports have thermal imaging technology, and no confirmed installations of bird detection radars are in place. There is also an emphasis on relocating bird-attracting sites, such as rubbish dumps, away from airport perimeters.

The investigation continues as authorities look into the cause of the crash, focusing on the implications of the bird strike alongside the impact with a concrete structure at the runway's end, which contributed to the aircraft's disastrous fate. As the Boeing 737-800, operated by Jeju Air, was completing its flight from Bangkok to Muan International Airport, air traffic control had warned the crew about local bird activity just prior to the incident. Reports indicate the pilot declared a mayday upon being struck, but the aircraft ultimately crash-landed without landing gear and exploded after hitting the runway barrier.

Amidst further examinations of flight records, it became evident that crucial data was lost moments before the catastrophic event, leaving many questions surrounding the allowance of such a disaster. In the wake of this tragedy, enhanced safety measures are likely to ensure that future travels within South Korea remain as secure as possible.