The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) has prolonged the closure of Muan International Airport (MWX) as they investigate Jeju Air, the country’s airports, and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Closed until January 14
In the most recent update on the Jeju Air incident on January 6, MOLIT stated that the closure of Muan International has been extended until January 14, citing the ongoing investigation into the crash and specific aircraft parts.
This includes the two CFM56-7B engines and other essential components, which the Ministry said have been relocated to a hangar. Efforts have continued to collect and transport debris from the crash area to a secured area, which has resulted in the extended closure of Muan’s airport.
MOLIT said that the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) finished the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) transcript on January 4 and shipped the flight data recorder (FDR) to Washington, DC on January 6.
On December 29, the Jeju Air 737-800, registration HL8088, crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport. Several social media videos showed the narrowbody aircraft attempting a belly landing on the airport’s only runway 01/19 before colliding with a concrete structure near the end of the runway and bursting into flames.
Identifying victims
MOLIT’s most recent statement also stated that all 179 passengers and flight crew members who died in the accident had been identified – 147 via fingerprints, 32 via Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) – and were led to funeral homes. The two surviving flight attendants remain hospitalized.
The ministry underscored that it will continue to assist the victims’ relatives after the burial rites, including psychiatric examinations and temporary lodging. The South Korean government intends to organize a joint memorial service, which will be supported by the local governments of Jeonnam and Gwangju City.
Jeju Air’s accident on December 29 was the deadliest 737-800 crash in recent years. The aircraft, which preceded the 737 MAX, has been implicated in many tragic incidents this decade, notably the downing of a Ukrainian International Airlines flight in Iran in January 2020 and the China Eastern Airlines crash near Wuzhou, China, in March 2022.
Inspecting the country’s 737-800 fleet
MOLIT also revealed that it has been performing safety inspections on South Korean carriers’ 737-800 aircraft, which number 101 and are operated by Air Incheon (four), Eastar Jet (ten), Jeju Air (39), Jin Air (19), Korean Air (two), and T’Way Air (27).
The inspections cover the maintenance history of essential systems, pre- and post-flight checks, operational and maintenance record keeping, and maintenance personnel supervision. According to the Ministry, these will last until January 10.
Finally, the government will inspect air navigation safety facilities at 13 airports in South Korea, including Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN), Gimpo International Airport (GMP), Jeju International Airport (CJU), and others.
The Jeju Air 737-800, which crashed on December 29, had diverted to Seoul-Incheon on December 27. However, local officials insisted that this was a medical emergency. In 2021, the same aircraft was engaged in a tailstrike while taking off from Jeju.
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