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South Korea to Enhance Airport Safety Measures Following Fatal Plane Crash

In the aftermath of a tragic aviation accident in December that resulted in the loss of 179 lives, South Korea is taking significant steps to bolster safety protocols at its airports. The incident involved a Boeing 737-800 and has prompted the government to mandate the installation of advanced bird detection systems across all airports in the nation.

Authorities investigating the crash recently confirmed that evidence of a bird strike was found, with feathers and blood discovered on the aircraft’s engines. This finding has intensified scrutiny on the factors contributing to the accident, which remains under investigation. Central to this inquiry is the relationship between the bird strike and the aircraft’s disastrous collision with a concrete structure during an emergency landing.

The Ministry of Land announced plans for the rollout of bird detection cameras and thermal imaging radars by 2026. “Bird detection radars will be installed at all airports to enhance early detection of distant birds and improve response capabilities for aircraft,” the ministry stated. These radars are designed to monitor the size and movement patterns of birds, relaying crucial information to air traffic control to mitigate collision risks.

Currently, only four airports in South Korea are equipped with thermal imaging cameras, raising concerns about preparedness in bird strike scenarios. The ministry’s statement indicated that each airport will also need at least one thermal imaging device to monitor activity more effectively. Additionally, the government has mandated the relocation of certain sites, such as landfills, which tend to attract avian wildlife away from airport vicinity.

Following a comprehensive review of South Korean airports after the catastrophic crash, authorities also indicated that safety features in runway areas at seven airports will be upgraded. While the exact cause of the incident has not been fully determined, aviation experts suggest that had the structure been absent, the number of casualties might have significantly decreased.

The ill-fated flight, operated by budget airline Jeju Air, was en route from Bangkok to Muan International Airport when the emergency occurred. Just three minutes after establishing contact with the control tower, the crew was alerted to potential bird activity. A mere two minutes later, the pilot reported a bird strike and subsequently issued a mayday signal. Attempts to land the plane resulted in a belly landing, with the aircraft overrunning the runway and colliding with a nearby concrete structure, culminating in an explosion.

Investigators revealed that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders stopped functioning four minutes before the crash, complicating the analysis of the circumstances leading to the disaster. Among the 179 individuals aboard the Boeing 737-800 were passengers aged from three to 78, predominantly within the 40 to 60 age range, while only two cabin crew members survived the tragedy.

As South Korea implements these preventative measures, the aviation community emphasizes the critical need for enhanced safety protocols to protect passengers and crew alike from similar incidents in the future.

Source
www.bbc.com