On the 22nd, officials from the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board investigating the cause of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam are conducting an on-site investigation of the azimuth facility (localizer). Photo by Yonhap News
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) has determined that the azimuth facility (localizer) at Muan International Airport, which is related to the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, violates aviation safety standards.
On December 23, the ACRC announced that the localizer at Muan International Airport was found to be in violation of both airport and airfield facility installation standards and airport safety operation standards.
The localizer is classified as a navigational aid that is included in the runway end safety area (RESA).
The ACRC found that the localizer at Muan International Airport failed to meet relevant standards because it was installed in the form of an embankment, including a concrete wall and upper slab, rather than being constructed from frangible materials that are designed to break easily to minimize damage in the event of an aircraft collision.
Accordingly, the ACRC recommended that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reinstall the localizer using frangible materials that comply with the relevant standards.
The Bereaved Families Council of the December 29 Muan Airport Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster issued a statement urging, "The government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should humbly accept the ACRC’s decision, take full responsibility for the installation and management of illegal facilities, and formally apologize to the public."
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