The Seoul government, through the head of aviation policy at the South Korean Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Joo Jong-wan, has announced that it intends to carry out a safety inspection on all Boeing -737/800 aircraft used by national airlines. This decision follows the accident that occurred yesterday to a plane of this model, operated by the national low-cost airline Jeju Air, in which 179 of the 181 people on board lost their lives, after the aircraft made a landing without landing gear that ended in tragedy (see AVIONEWS). Added to this is the inconvenience that occurred today to a Jeju Air B-737/800, which returned to the airport of departure after a reversal due to a problem with the landing gear, fortunately without consequences (see AVIONEWS).

To be fair, according to local press rumors, Jeju Air is not new to this type of incident, as another aircraft of the model in question had already recently returned after taking off from Gimpo International Airport, due to a landing gear problem similar to the one that occurred in yesterday's accident in Muan, in which it is believed that all three landing gear devices did not function properly.

In essence, Joo Jong-wan informed at a press conference, the government intends to carefully examine whether domestic airlines are properly maintaining the Boeing model, including the aircraft's usage rates, routine flight inspections and maintenance records. The B-737/800 is widely used by South Korean airlines. Jeju Air, for example, operates the largest number of them, with 39 units. It is followed by T'way Air with 27 units, Jin Air with 19, and Eastar Jet with 10.

The official then concluded by underlining that at the invitation of the Seoul government itself, both the American NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), the manufacturer Boeing, and the engine manufacturer CFM International will participate in the investigation into yesterday's accident.