South Korea finds fault in airport consrutction

South Korea’s transport ministry cut construction costs and approved improper airport safety structures for more than two decades, the state auditor said in a report on aviation safety management after a Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people.
The December 2024 crash involved a ⁠Boeing 737-800 which was struck by birds, belly-landed and overran the runway at Muan International Airport, killing almost everyone on board after it struck a concrete support for a localiser antenna.
The only survivors were two flight attendants at the rear of the plane.
The Board of Audit and Inspection said in a report published on Tuesday that the ministry built a 2.4 metre high concrete embankment upon which to place the localiser – a landing guidance system – at Muan airport in order to reduce earthwork costs, without adequately reviewing relevant rules.
Under international standards, localiser structures should be designed to break apart easily upon aircraft impact.