179 Killed in Jeju Air Plane Crash at Muan Airport
179 Die in the Muan International Airport Crash Jeju Air airline crash Muan International Airport, South Korea aviation standards The crash happened when the plane left the runway and crashed into a concrete wall located just beyond the end of the runway, causing an explosion and fire. Now experts are considering whether the design and placement of the wall played a major role in the incident’s severity.
Four meters tall and wrapped in dirt, the concrete wall contained a localizer — a navigation system that directs planes in landing. Since it was to be configured to align with the runway for maximum utility, the structure was located approximately 250 meters from the runway’s end. The installations exist at other airports, both in South Korea and abroad, the country’s transport ministry has said, but the crash has prompted a reconsideration of their safety.
Aviation scholars have questioned the use of rigid concrete for the wall, arguing that frangible or collapsible materials could have lessened the impact and averted casualties. Without such an obstacle, the plane could have stopped with far less loss of life, said David Learmount, a leading air safety expert. Likewise, Christian Beckert, a Lufthansa pilot, described the existence of a concrete structure at a runway’s end as “highly unusual.”
Video footage from the crash identifies the moment of impact, showing the devastating collision with the wall, underscoring its possible involvement in the disaster. Safety infrastructure near runways, critics say, should be designed to minimize harm should something go wrong. Questions are now centered on the regulatory standards that govern such installations, and whether international guidelines were observed in this case.
Investigators are seeking to establish exactly what led to the accident, including whether the pilot erred, if there was some sort of a technical failure or whether the wall played a role. This investigation’s discoveries could potentially have global consequences on airport design standards. As the aviation industry waits for answers, the families of those killed grieve a tragedy that may have been avoided.
For further information, see the full article on BBC News.
