[467 Social] Tragic Accidents Fuel Public Anxiety and Demand for Safety

   At the outset of 2025, South Korea faced a tragic event. On December 29th, 2024, a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed at Muan Airport, leading to a profound national mourning for the lives lost. The incident overshadowed the festive Christmas season as the victims’ diverse heartbreaking stories stirred widespread sympathy. Adding to these concerns, on January 28th of this year, an aircraft fire aboard an Air Busan flight deepened public anxiety about flight safety, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures. Many citizens are still unable to erase their memories of the harrowing image they witnessed, causing them to feel anxious.

Jeju Air crash at Muan Airport

   At around 9 A.M. on December 29th, 2024, a plane crashed at Muan Airport. The aircraft, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, had departed from Bangkok, Thailand, and was attempting to land at Muan Airport. A landing gear malfunction caused the plane veer off the runway upon landing, crash into an outer wall, and catch fire. There were 175 passengers and six crew members aboard, totaling 181 people. All but two crew members perished in the crash.

   The cause of the Jeju Air crash is believed to be multifaceted, but the most prominent cause is considered to be a bird strike, which is when a bird collides with an aircraft. Bird strikes are consistently cited as a cause of many aviation accidents, and a bird weighing 1.8 kg colliding with a plane traveling at 960 km/h can generate about 65 tons of force. Especially during takeoff and landing, the chance of encountering flocks of birds near the airport is high, which is thought to have contributed to the accident. While many potential causes have been identified, the exact cause has not yet been conclusively determined.

   In response to the tragedy, the government declared a national mourning period from December 29th, 2024, to January 4th, 2025. The government established joint memorial altars in Muan, and 17 other cities and provinces, including Jeonnam, Gwangju, Seoul, and Sejong. All government offices, local governments, and public institutions were instructed to fly flags at half-mast, and public officials wore mourning ribbons to honor the victims. Major events during the mourning period were canceled or postponed. The New Year’s Eve bell-ringing ceremony, anticipated by the public, was scaled down or canceled, with the Bell Ceremony at Bosingak being limited. However, some events were available for online participation.

   The victims’ families of the Jeju Air crash remained at the site, and many people visited the joint memorial altar to mourn the victims. A 49-day memorial service was held, and firefighters, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, as well as volunteers, gathered at Muan Airport. The collaborative efforts of everyone present helped manage the aftermath of the disaster, and a memorial service was held on January 18th.

Air Busan aircraft fire

   Amid the rising fears of flying following the Muan Airport accident, another incident fueled anxiety. On the night of January 28th, at around 10:26 P.M., a fire broke out on an Air Busan flight BX391 at Gimhae International Airport in Busan. The flight was scheduled to head to Hong Kong, but a fire started at the rear of the aircraft during preparations for takeoff. There were 169 passengers, six crew members, and one ground engineer aboard, totaling 176 people. Passengers and crew members quickly evacuated the plane, and fortunately, there were no significant casualties.

   The fire caused delays in airport operations and caused confusion, prompting the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Committee to launch an investigation. A Level 1 fire response was issued, and the fire was completely extinguished in about an hour and 15 minutes.

   Six days after the incident, on February 3rd, a joint investigation was conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Committee, along with the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA), the National Forensic Service, the Busan Metropolitan Police’s Scientific Investigation Unit, and fire authorities. Some have suggested that a power bank in the cabin may have sparked the fire. Several testimonies have pointed to the fire starting in the overhead bin, adding weight to this theory. However, the investigation committee has stated that no conclusions can be drawn at this point.

   While it has not been definitively determined whether a power bank caused the fire, this incident has prompted an increase in aviation safety measures. Korean Air decided to strengthen its regulations regarding the in-cabin carrying and storage of power banks due to fire risks. According to the airline industry on February 5th, Korean Air is considering measures that would allow passengers to carry power banks with them but will enforce stricter rules for boarding and safety training for flight attendants. Asiana Airlines also plans to allow passengers to carry their own power banks and will announce the policy through in-flight announcements. Air Busan has introduced a policy to minimize the fire risk from power banks and will implement a system where only hand-luggage with power banks will be stored in the overhead bins. Other airlines like T’way Air and Air Seoul are also strengthening safety instructions regarding power banks.

   The consecutive aviation accidents at Muan Airport and the Air Busan fire have caused deep sorrow, but have also heightened the public’s anxiety about flight. Aircraft accidents can lead to not only property damage but also a significant loss of life, making thorough safety measures crucial. For aviation safety, both airlines and passengers must collaborate to ensure a safer flying environment. With the increased focus on flying safety, The Dongguk Post hoped that air travel will become safer for all.