Testimonies Emerge Claiming Repeated Maintenance Accidents
Before the crash of a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 people at Jeonnam Muan International Airport, a post pointing out the poor maintenance environment of Jeju Air had already been posted, drawing attention.
On the 29th, wreckage of the aircraft involved in the accident lies on the runway of Muan International Airport in Jeonnam, where a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 passengers collided with the outer wall of the runway during landing, causing a fire that resulted in the deaths of most passengers.
On the 29th, an anonymous post on the workplace community Blind, shared on online communities, contained claims that Jeju Air's maintenance environment was not only poor but also that aircraft defects had been frequent for some time. In February, a post titled "Don't fly Jeju Air" was uploaded on Blind. The author, A, who worked at Jeju Air, wrote, "These days, engine defects happen frequently. You never know when it might crash," adding, "Bringing in the wrong CEO messed up maintenance, operations, and finances." He also pointed out, "These days, everyone is trying to escape to other airlines."
There were also claims that aircraft safety had been precarious from the start due to poor working conditions, such as maintenance technicians not being guaranteed rest time and being overburdened compared to other airlines. B, who identified himself as a Jeju Air maintenance technician, claimed, "Maintenance technicians work 13 to 14 hours at night with barely 20 minutes to eat, so there is practically no rest time." B warned, "You are flying on planes maintained by people who are overworked 1.5 times more than other airlines, exhausted without rest, and not properly treated. It would not be surprising if a major accident happens anytime." He added, "In the aircraft maintenance industry, there is a famous saying, 'If you endure two years at Jeju Air, you can endure anywhere.'"
There were also reports of recent consecutive maintenance accidents. C, who claimed to be a Jeju Air employee, wrote on Blind, "There have already been three maintenance accidents between yesterday and early this morning, and the staff worked hard," adding, "Yesterday, a domestic flight had a maintenance accident, causing a chain delay all day. Flights to Da Nang and Phu Quoc also had ramp returns." A ramp return means the aircraft returns to the terminal or apron before takeoff.
Earlier that day, at 9:03 a.m., a Jeju Air passenger plane from Bangkok carrying 181 people exploded during the landing process on the runway at Muan International Airport. It is presumed that the passenger plane, whose landing gear malfunctioned due to a bird strike, attempted a belly landing but collided with the airport wall due to insufficient runway length, causing the explosion. Fire authorities stated that except for two survivors, all are presumed dead. Muan Airport is the only international airport in Honam. It is known to have a high usage rate among elderly people or family travelers who find it difficult to travel to Incheon International Airport, adding to the sorrow.
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