Discovered on Passenger Terminal Roof During Facility Safety Inspection
Drone Flights Prohibited Within a 9.3 km Radius of the Airport
A drone flew into and crashed at Jeju International Airport, the highest-grade national critical facility, yet the airport authorities were completely unaware of it.
According to Yonhap News on the 27th, the Korea Airports Corporation Jeju Regional Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the Airport Corporation) discovered a drone that had crashed on the rooftop of the domestic passenger terminal during an airport facility safety inspection around 2 p.m. on the 13th. The Airport Corporation immediately notified the Jeju Regional Aviation Administration (hereinafter referred to as Jeju Aviation Administration) of this fact.
The Jeju Aviation Administration estimates that this drone crashed while flying over Jeju Airport. However, it was reported that the Airport Corporation had not been aware of the drone flight or crash until the drone was discovered.
The rooftop of the domestic passenger terminal where this drone was found is a controlled airspace of Jeju Airport where aircraft must take off, land, or move according to air traffic controller instructions, and flight is restricted to ensure air traffic safety. Under the Aviation Safety Act, to fly a drone within a radius of 3 to 9.3 km from the airport center in a flight-restricted zone, a 'flight approval application' must be submitted in advance and approved by the Aviation Administration. Additionally, flying within 3 km of the airport requires prior consultation and permission from the Aviation Administration, but it was confirmed that the drone found this time did not undergo such coordination.
This is reportedly the first time a drone has flown unauthorized at Jeju Airport.
On the 24th, the Jeju Aviation Administration requested an investigation by the police. A Jeju Aviation Administration official told Yonhap News, "When the drone entered Jeju Airport and how long it flew will be revealed through the police investigation," adding, "Drones do not have lights like aircraft, so if it entered at night, it would be difficult to identify visually." A police official also said, "An investigator has been assigned, and we plan to bring the problematic drone from the airport soon to analyze flight records, etc. The drone type and whether a camera is installed will also be confirmed after bringing the drone."
Meanwhile, last July, a drone was detected within 3 km of Incheon International Airport, causing aircraft takeoffs and landings on the runway to be halted for about an hour. If a civilian flies a drone without approval from the relevant regional Aviation Administration, they may face a fine of up to 5 million won under the Aviation Safety Act.
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