South Korea mandates bird detection tech at airports after a fatal crash highlights safety needs.
In response to a catastrophic aviation accident in December, South Korea has mandated the installation of bird detection radars and cameras at all national airports. Announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, these measures are part of a broader safety initiative that includes a thorough inspection of airports and an analysis of facilities prone to attracting birds.
On December 29, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, traveling from Thailand to Muan in South Korea’s southwest with 181 passengers and crew aboard, made a fatal crash landing at Muan Airport. The aircraft collided with a concrete barrier and erupted into flames, resulting in 179 fatalities and leaving only two survivors.
The newly required radar systems will track the size and trajectory of birds, providing crucial data to air traffic controllers who will then inform pilots of potential hazards.
Previously, only the airports in Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju Island were equipped with thermal imaging technology for bird detection, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. The government’s current strategy includes deploying at least one bird detection camera at each of the country’s 15 domestic airports starting in March.
At the time of the incident, the pilot had aborted an initial landing due to a bird strike and reported issues with the landing gear during the second landing attempt, which ultimately led to the crash. Ongoing investigations by both South Korean and American teams aim to ascertain the definitive cause of the crash, which has since been a focal point of national grief, with memorials established throughout South Korea.
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