South Korea’s military has initiated special safety inspections of its aircraft following the tragedy of Jeju Air Flight 2216 at Muan Airport. Notably, the Navy has decided to suspend operations of its recently acquired state-of-the-art maritime patrol aircraft, based on the same model as the crashed plane, until all inspections are completed.
According to a summary from News1 on Tuesday, the Ministry of National Defense issued instructions to all units operating fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft on Monday, the day after the Jeju Air accident—the directive called for self-conducted special safety inspections to prevent similar accidents.
In response, the Navy has initiated inspections of its fixed-wing aircraft, including six P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. These checks began yesterday and will continue until January 4. Special attention is being paid to the landing gear, which is being investigated as a potential factor in the recent tragedy.
The P-8A is based on the Boeing 737-800, the model involved in the accident. Boeing developed the P-8A for the U.S. Navy’s next-generation maritime patrol aircraft program, which utilizes the 737-800, a successful short-to-medium-range commercial aircraft.
The P-8A is the most advanced maritime patrol aircraft currently in operation. It performs anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and naval reconnaissance. The six P-8As acquired by the South Korean Navy in July are undergoing operational training and are expected to be deployed for missions in mid-2025. Thus far, no operational issues have been reported.
The Air Force also conducts special safety inspections of all fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Its fixed-wing fleet includes the E-737 Peace Eye, based on the Boeing 737-700.
The E-737 is designed to detect and identify enemy aircraft and missiles and command and control friendly fighter jets and warships from the air. The Air Force currently operates four E-737 units.
Meanwhile, the Marine Corps has strengthened inspections of its rotary-wing aircraft and intensified efforts to prevent bird strikes, which is considered one potential cause of the recent crash.
Separately, South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has also announced plans to conduct comprehensive special inspections of all Boeing 737-800 models operated by South Korean airlines. The Boeing 737-800, an extended-body version of the Boeing 737-700, can carry up to 189 passengers. Since its launch in 1997, over 5,000 units have been sold worldwide.
South Korean low-cost carriers (LCCs) widely use this model. Domestic airlines own 101 units: 39 by Jeju Air, 27 by T’way Air, 19 by Jin Air, 10 by Eastar Jet, 4 by Air Incheon, and 2 by Korean Air.
Separately, Jeon Ha Gyu, spokesperson for South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, stated during a regular briefing, “Military personnel have been deployed to assist with the aftermath of the Muan Airport tragedy. The deployment scale, around 160 personnel, remains similar to yesterday. These troops are supporting airport search and security missions.”