A concrete structure located near the runway of Muan International Airport is under investigation as authorities seek to understand its influence on the recent Jeju Air crash that resulted in 179 fatalities. Experts question whether the wall, which is meant to support a navigation system, could have mitigated the disaster if it had been composed of more forgiving materials.
Investigation Into South Korea Plane Crash Raises Concerns Over Runway Obstruction
Investigation Into South Korea Plane Crash Raises Concerns Over Runway Obstruction
Aviation experts scrutinize the presence of a concrete wall near the runway of Muan International Airport following the nation’s gravest plane disaster.
The wreckage of the Jeju Air plane at Muan International Airport has raised alarm bells among aviation experts regarding a concrete wall situated perilously close to the runway. The collision with the wall, which lies approximately 250 meters from the runway’s end, occurred when the aircraft veered off course, resulting in a catastrophic fire and the largest death toll in South Korea's aviation history.
Air safety specialist David Learmount emphasized that the presence of this “obstruction” significantly contributed to the high fatality rate, asserting that most passengers might have survived if the wall hadn’t been there. The incident unfolded after the pilot aborted the original landing due to a bird strike and attempted a landing from an alternate approach. The aircraft ultimately touched down far down the 2,800-meter runway, landing gear and wheels unextended, leading to a glide that lacked critical support.
“The collision with a rigid structure right beyond the runway end,” stated Learmount, “and not the landing itself, is what caused the fatalities.” His observations were shared by Christian Beckert, a Lufthansa pilot, who labeled the wall as “unusual” for an airport runway setup.
According to reports by South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, the concrete structure, designed to assist with landings via a localiser navigation system, is four meters tall and camouflaged with dirt to keep it level with the runway. While South Korea’s transport ministry assures that similar installations are common elsewhere, it has prompted scrutiny into whether this structure should be more pliable to minimize dangers in such incidents.
Veteran pilot Chris Kingswood remarked on the need for obstacles near runways to be frangible — designed to break upon impact. He speculated that the rigidity of the structure might pose risks during landings, particularly when aircraft approach inaccurately.
He added that a thorough investigation would be necessary regarding the enforcement of aviation safety standards across various airports, implying that this might not be an isolated issue. Aviation analyst Sally Gethin raised critical questions about the pilot's awareness of the wall during the landing and how this could impact future safety measures. The investigation continues, focusing on potential knowledge gaps and procedural errors leading up to the deadly crash.
