Engine of December 29 Passenger Plane Disaster Underwent Five Safety Improvement Measures Before Accident

Assemblyman Jeong Junho Releases Data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

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 Jeollanam-do are conducting an on-site inspection of the localizer facility. Photo by Yonhap News

It has been revealed that the engine model installed on the aircraft involved in the December 29 passenger plane disaster underwent a total of five mandatory safety improvement measures over the four years prior to the accident.

According to data submitted by Assemblyman Jeong Junho (Gwangju Buk-gu Gap) of the Democratic Party of Korea to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on January 14, the engine model installed on the Boeing 737-800 involved in the accident underwent five safety improvement measures in accordance with Airworthiness Directives (AD) between November 2020 and March 2024.

Aircraft safety improvement measures are similar to recalls for manufacturing defects. They are a system in which the aviation authorities of the manufacturing country mandate inspections, parts replacement, repairs, or modifications in order to address unsafe conditions found in aircraft, engines, or components.

According to the data, a total of five corrective actions for manufacturing defects were implemented on the ATA 72 engine system installed on the accident aircraft prior to the disaster, with one of these classified as an emergency measure requiring immediate action.

The improvement measures included key internal engine components such as the accessory gearbox and high-pressure turbine. As the investigation into the cause of the accident continues, there are growing calls for a more detailed examination of the engine.

Assemblyman Jeong stated, "Given that there is a record of past safety improvement measures for the accident aircraft's engine, a more thorough investigation of the engine is necessary for an objective accident investigation," and added, "The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board should actively conduct additional investigations, including consulting domestic and international experts, alongside its own inquiry."