"It is difficult to see the accident as caused by the runway length"
On the 29th, a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 passengers collided with the outer wall of the runway while landing at Muan International Airport, causing a fire that resulted in the deaths of most passengers. The wreckage of the aircraft is placed on the runway of Muan International Airport, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
Joo Jong-wan, Director of the Aviation Policy Office at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated on the 29th at the Ministry's Sejong Government Complex office regarding the passenger plane crash at Jeonnam Muan International Airport, "The mayday (distress signal) was declared one minute after the bird strike warning, and the accident occurred two minutes after the mayday declaration."
Director Joo also said, "Further investigation is needed to determine the cause, such as the bird strike," and added, "We need to check the black box and communication records." In response to concerns that Muan Airport's runway is shorter than other international airports, he said, "It is difficult to conclude that the accident was caused by the runway length," and stated, "We will verify the runway length figures and provide a briefing later."
The Fire Agency announced that as of 3:18 PM, the death toll from the Jeju Air passenger plane is 124. Earlier that day at 9:03 AM, a passenger plane carrying 181 passengers collided with the outer wall of the runway while landing at Jeonnam Muan International Airport, causing a massive fire. So far, two injured persons have been rescued, one of whom has been confirmed to be a crew member.
The fire authorities stated, "The surviving crew member testified immediately after rescue that there was a 'bird strike.'"
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