A day after the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Jeonnam Muan International Airport, a Jeju Air aircraft of the same model returned to the airport due to the same part issue.
According to the aviation industry on the 30th, at 6:37 a.m., a landing gear (the device necessary for takeoff and landing, including airplane wheels) malfunction was discovered immediately after takeoff on Jeju Air flight 7C101, departing from Gimpo Airport to Jeju.
Jeju Air informed the 161 passengers on board about the aircraft defect caused by the landing gear issue and returned to the airport. The plane landed back at Gimpo Airport at 7:25 a.m., and after replacing the aircraft, it is scheduled to resume operation.
Jeju Air B737-800
The aircraft model used for the flight that returned was Boeing B737-800, the same model involved in the disaster the previous day. Jeju Air operates 39 out of its 41 aircraft fleet with this model.
The landing gear is a device necessary for takeoff and landing, including airplane wheels. It ensures safe takeoff and landing and cushions the impact during emergency landings. In this disaster, all three landing gears reportedly failed to operate, which is being pointed out as a major cause of the accident.
A Jeju Air official said, "The return was a necessary measure for safe operation," and added, "We apologize for the inconvenience caused to the passengers on board."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
