[Teheran-ro] The 12/29 Passenger Plane Disaster: The Need to Accelerate the Investigation

A bill to make the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) independent from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) recently passed a subcommittee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. This marks the first step in a year toward dispelling suspicions of 'self-investigation' that have fueled public distrust.
Since the Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash at Muan Airport, there has been ongoing public debate about the cause of the disaster. While it is widely accepted that a bird strike was responsible, the argument that the absence of a localizer during landing contributed to the tragedy has gained traction. Even as the first anniversary approaches, this remains a contentious issue.
At a briefing for bereaved families last July, MOLIT announced plans to conduct a research study regarding the localizer. The study was set to examine landing speed, the impact of the collision, scenarios assuming the absence of a localizer, and the appropriateness of design standards.
Although this investigation was essential, the fact that MOLIT was the commissioning body became a problem. Because ARAIB is not an independent agency and lacks its own budget, MOLIT commissioned the research.
Public distrust of 'self-investigation' was entirely predictable. Earlier this year, I personally asked Jeju Air whether they planned to conduct a simulation regarding the localizer. Jeju Air responded, 'If we, as a directly involved party, conduct the simulation, it would likely be criticized as a self-investigation to avoid responsibility, making it difficult to proceed.'
Experts in the aviation industry and academia, well aware of the realities, have consistently called for the establishment of an independent aviation authority separate from MOLIT, so that aviation and administrative professionals can oversee policy implementation and operations. Of the 36 member states on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, 33—including all except the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, and Canada—have independent aviation authorities that professionally manage aviation safety.
While the independence of ARAIB does not directly lead to the creation of a new aviation authority, it is significant in terms of securing independence. It is expected that the investigation into the cause of the disaster, which had been delayed due to suspicions of 'self-investigation,' will now get back on track.
However, paradoxically, there are concerns that the investigation could be further delayed. This is because the amendment includes the termination of all current board members’ terms. It is also regrettable that the public hearing scheduled for the 4th, which was to include verification of the localizer collision simulation, did not take place.
It is, of course, ideal to put new wine into new wineskins. However, given that a year has already passed, a swift investigation is now urgent. Additional investigations and the collection of opinions should proceed in parallel with the existing findings. The cries for 'aviation safety' from the bereaved families must no longer echo in vain.
hoya0222@fnnews.com Reporter