South Korean airports will be required to install bird detection cameras and thermal imaging radars following a deadly air crash that occurred in December last year, claiming the lives of 179 individuals. The implementation of these safety measures is scheduled for 2026.
A recent finding by investigators revealed evidence of a bird strike on the Boeing 737-800 plane involved in the accident, with feathers and blood stains discovered on the engines. The ongoing investigation into this fatal crash, the worst in South Korean history, will prioritize examining the impact of the bird strike and the role of a concrete structure at the runway's end.
The Ministry of Land announced that all airports will deploy bird detection radars to detect birds in the vicinity early on and enhance response capabilities for aircraft. These radars provide information on bird sizes and flight paths to air traffic controllers. Additionally, each airport must have at least one thermal imaging camera installed to further bolster safety measures.
Presently, only four airports in South Korea have thermal imaging cameras, and it remains unclear if any have bird detection radars. Measures to deter birds from airport areas, such as relocating sites like rubbish dumps, will also be implemented.
Following a comprehensive airport review post-crash, seven airports in South Korea will undergo modifications to enhance runway safety areas. Air safety experts have noted that the casualties could have been minimized had the plane not collided with the end-of-runway structure during its emergency landing.
The tragic incident involved a Jeju Air flight departing from Bangkok en route to Muan International Airport. Shortly after the pilots' contact with the airport, the control tower warned of bird activity, leading to the pilot reporting a bird strike and issuing a mayday signal. The subsequent emergency landing with no landing gear deployment resulted in the plane sliding off the runway and crashing into the concrete structure, as indicated by the preliminary investigation report.
The passengers aboard the Boeing B737-800 ranged from three to 78 years old, with the majority in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Regrettably, only the two cabin crew members survived the tragic incident. Flight data and cockpit voice recorders ceased recording four minutes prior to the crash, according to subsequent investigations into the black boxes.