South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Completes Special Inspection: Improvement Needed for Localizers and Foundations at 7 Airports

The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has completed its special safety inspection on airlines as well as its special inspection on safety facilities at all 15 airports nationwide, initiated in response to the Cheju Airplane fire incident at Muan International Airport.

A special safety inspection was conducted for six airlines operating Boeing 737-800 aircraft, targeting a total of 101 aircraft: Cheju Air (39 aircraft), Jin Air (19 aircraft), T’way Air (27 aircraft), Eastar Jet (10 aircraft), Korean Air (2 aircraft), and Air Incheon (4 aircraft).

The inspection generally confirmed that the operational and maintenance regulations were being followed. However, instances of non-compliance were identified in some airlines, such as exceeding the pre-and post-flight inspection intervals, non-compliance with defect resolution procedures, and starting boarding procedures before completion of all inspections.

In cases of non-compliance, it was found that some inspections had exceeded two hours beyond the required 48 hours from the departure time of the first international flight. Additionally, there were cases where only one of the four required filters was replaced when overheat indicator lights for the hydraulic system electrical motor pump were illuminated, and cases where boarding began before pilots received a complete report of all inspections and any anomalies from mechanics or relevant staff. The ministry is enforcing improvement orders and dealing strictly with these violations in accordance with laws and procedures.

Moreover, during the special inspection of the navigation safety facilities at all 15 airports, it was found that the installation positions, materials, shapes, and performances of the direction-finding facilities (locators), Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) were thoroughly inspected. The performance was generally good, and most were confirmed to have sufficient safety measures, using materials that are less prone to breaking.

However, it was discovered that the locators and their foundations at nine facilities across seven airports, including Muan, Gwangju and Yeosu, Pohang and Gyeongju, Gimhae (Busan) and Sacheon, and Jeju, required improvement. These facilities were using concrete embankments, concrete foundations, and H-beam steel structures, respectively.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is expanding safety inspections for both airlines and major facilities at airports, to be conducted until January 31 and January 21 respectively. They plan to prepare a preliminary improvement plan for the localizers by the end of January, with intentions to make improvements within the year.