Investigating the Role of Airport Design in South Korea’s Deadly Air Disaster

As the investigation into the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 enters its third day, experts are questioning the potential impact of runway design and infrastructure at Muan International Airport on the disaster. The Boeing 737-800 crashed into a concrete embankment after attempting an emergency landing on Sunday morning, killing 179 of the 181 people aboard. Initial reports suggested a bird strike was involved, but experts are now examining how airport design may have contributed to the catastrophic outcome.

The aircraft, having failed to deploy its landing gear and overshot the runway, collided with a concrete embankment, causing a fire. South Korean authorities have stated that the embankment, which housed a localiser antenna to guide pilots, was constructed in accordance with regulations, citing its similarity to structures at airports worldwide. However, several aviation experts have raised concerns about the safety of this design choice.

Najmedin Meshkati, a civil engineering professor at the University of Southern California, criticized the use of concrete for the structure. He explained that concrete proved disastrous upon impact with the skidding aircraft, whereas a metal tower or pylon might have provided less resistance, possibly improving the chances of survival.

Hassan Shahidi, CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, emphasized that runway structures should be designed to break upon collision to minimize harm, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines. Investigators are now assessing whether the embankment met these standards, particularly in terms of its proximity to the runway’s end. Official reports indicate the embankment was positioned 250 meters from the runway’s edge, closer than the recommended 300 meters.

The discussion also extends to the runway’s design itself. Experts have questioned whether it provided enough space for an overrun area or if an “engineered material arresting system” (EMAS) should have been implemented. Such systems use materials like sand or gravel to slow down aircraft that overshoot the runway, potentially preventing a forceful impact. Although these systems are common in more developed countries, their feasibility can depend on the specific geography of the airport.

Further scrutiny has been directed at the runway’s slight downward slope of -0.2%, which could have posed challenges for the aircraft’s emergency landing. Experts suggest that this factor, along with weather conditions and other operational considerations, will be explored in the investigation.

As the investigation progresses, officials are considering various possible causes for the crash, including a bird strike, aircraft system failure, or a combination of both. Despite frequent reports of bird strikes—over 13,000 annually—aviation specialists argue that a single bird collision is unlikely to cause such a catastrophic crash unless it led to a cascade of failures, such as damage to engines or hydraulics, which might explain the aircraft's inability to deploy its landing gear.

Investigators have expressed concern about the speed at which the aircraft landed and its failure to fully lower the nose before crashing. Early video footage revealed that the plane did not decelerate properly, which may have prevented it from stopping in time.

As the investigation continues, the role of the runway design, combined with other possible technical and human factors, will be critical in determining the cause of this tragic event. The “black box” flight recorder, which was recovered from the crash site, is currently being examined, though key data remains missing. In the wake of the crash, South Korea’s transport ministry has ordered safety inspections across the country’s airline operations, and a thorough review of all Boeing 737-800s is underway.

While it may take weeks for the full results of the investigation to emerge, experts are hopeful that these findings will lead to safer airport designs and protocols in the future.