[Aircraft Disaster] Joint Inspection of Azimuth Facility at Muan Airport

National Forensic Service and ARAIB Confirm Impact and Structures
Analyzing Causes of Disaster...
Carefully Determining Responsibility

A detailed investigation has been conducted into the azimuth facility (localizer embankment) at Muan International Airport, which has been identified as a factor that exacerbated the damage during the Jeju Air disaster.

On the 22nd, officials from the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) investigating the cause of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam are conducting an on-site inspection of the azimuth facility (localizer). Photo by Yonhap News

According to the investigation headquarters of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency on April 23, a joint inspection was carried out at the site of the azimuth facility the previous day in cooperation with the National Forensic Service and the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB). Authorities used an excavator to uncover concrete structures buried beneath the soil and inspected the installation method and the strength of the structures.

This investigation is a procedure aimed at analyzing the scale of the impact when the aircraft collided and the extent to which the azimuth facility contributed to the accident damage. The investigation headquarters plans to determine the degree of the facility's contribution to the accident based on the analysis results from the National Forensic Service. The ARAIB also conducted a separate on-site investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

The police intend to determine responsibility for the accident by combining the findings from the National Forensic Service and the ARAIB. However, given the seriousness of the case, they are carefully considering whether to file charges.