Unusual Concrete Wall Raises Questions in South Korea Plane Crash Investigation

The tragic plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport, which claimed 179 lives, has brought global attention to an unexpected factor: a concrete wall near the runway. Aviation experts are questioning the role of this “unusual” structure in the disaster and its placement just 250 meters (820 feet) beyond the end of the runway.

The Jeju Air flight, attempting an emergency landing after reportedly striking a bird, collided with this wall after sliding off the runway. The plane’s pilot had aborted an initial landing attempt, requesting to land from the opposite direction. While the landing was far from ideal, aviation safety experts believe the crash’s devastating impact was not due to the landing itself but rather the collision with the rigid barrier.

Air safety expert David Learmount explained that the plane, though landing without wheels or flaps, managed a relatively stable touchdown. It slid along the runway with minimal structural damage. However, the concrete wall’s presence led to a catastrophic outcome. “The reason so many people died was not the landing as such, but the fact that the aircraft collided with a very hard obstruction just beyond the runway end,” Learmount stated.

This concrete structure houses a localizer, a navigation system crucial for assisting aircraft landings. Reports from South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency indicate that the structure is 4 meters high, covered in dirt, and designed to maintain the localizer’s alignment with the runway. While South Korea’s transport ministry has clarified that similar structures exist in other airports domestically and internationally, questions have arisen about its material and placement.

Aviation regulations typically require obstacles within a certain range of runways to be frangible—designed to break upon impact to minimize harm. Christian Beckert, a Lufthansa pilot, called the rigid concrete construction “unusual” and suggested that lighter materials could have mitigated the tragedy. “Normally, on an airport with a runway at the end, you don’t have a wall,” he remarked.

Aviation analyst Sally Gethin raised further concerns about the pilots’ awareness of the wall’s presence, especially given their approach from the opposite direction during the emergency. Whether the control tower informed them about the barrier and its potential risks remains an open question. Investigators will likely turn to the black boxes to uncover these critical details.

With decades of aviation experience, Pilot Chris Kingswood emphasized the inherent risks posed by such rigid obstacles. He noted that airplanes, designed for efficient flight rather than high-speed ground collisions, are especially vulnerable to structural failure upon impact. “The fuel is kept in the wings, so once the wing ruptures, the potential for fire is significant,” Kingswood explained. While the wall’s absence might not have entirely prevented fatalities, it is plausible that the outcome could have been less severe.

As investigations continue, the tragedy has highlighted broader concerns about airport infrastructure and its compliance with safety standards. Experts agree that while Muan International Airport likely met regulatory requirements, the incident underscores the need for a thorough reassessment of runway-adjacent structures. The aviation community now awaits answers to critical questions about this devastating crash, hoping to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Refrence From:www.bbc.com