In the aftermath of the catastrophic Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash at Muan International Airport on Dec. 29, 2024, which claimed the lives of 179 people, the South Korean military has taken swift action to ensure the safety of its own fleet of Boeing 737-based aircraft. The cause of the devastating accident remains under scrutiny, with investigators focusing on a potential issue with the landing gear.
As a precautionary measure, the South Korean military initiated special inspections of its Boeing 737 aircraft on Dec. 30, 2024. These comprehensive evaluations are expected to continue until this Saturday. The Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, derived from the Boeing 737-800, and the Air Force’s Peace Eye airborne early warning and control aircraft, based on the Boeing 737-700, are both undergoing rigorous inspections by trained engineers. Despite the shared lineage with the ill-fated Jeju Air aircraft, a Navy official emphasized that the Poseidon, while built upon the Boeing 737-800 platform, is a distinct aircraft designed for maritime patrol and anti-submarine missions. To date, no anomalies related to the landing gear or other critical systems have been detected in the Poseidon.
The Navy acquired its fleet of six P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft in July 2024 to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The aircraft are currently in the process of operational deployment and are anticipated to assume active combat duties in the coming year.
In addition to the military’s proactive measures, the South Korean government has announced its intention to conduct comprehensive safety inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by domestic airlines. Military support troops have been deployed to Muan Airport to provide assistance with search and reconnaissance efforts.
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