dailymail.co.uk
South Korea Plane Crash: Runway Wall Cited as 'Almost Criminal' Error
On Sunday, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed in Muan, South Korea, killing 179 passengers after its landing gear failed to deploy upon landing, leading to a collision with a concrete wall at the end of the runway; experts suggest that the wall's presence was a critical error that increased casualties.
- What were the primary causes of the high number of fatalities in the Jeju Air plane crash?
- A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed in South Korea, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. Experts suggest a critical error was the presence of a concrete wall at the runway's end, which the plane struck after its landing gear failed to deploy. Had the wall not been there, survival was highly probable.
- What role did the potential bird strike and subsequent hydraulic failure play in the accident?
- The crash highlights safety concerns. A potential bird strike may have caused engine and hydraulic failure, preventing landing gear deployment and necessitating a high-speed landing. The concrete wall at the runway's end, deemed 'almost criminal' by experts, exacerbated the impact, leading to a fire and high casualties.
- What systemic changes to aviation safety and emergency protocols are necessary to prevent similar tragedies?
- Future investigations must analyze the decision to place a concrete wall at the runway's end, considering its role in the high death toll. Further analysis of bird strike frequency at the airport and improvements to emergency response protocols are needed. The incident underscores the need for stricter safety regulations and emergency response procedures.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the narrative around the 'criminal' nature of the concrete wall at the runway's end, using this as the central focus. The headline and prominent quotes emphasize this aspect, potentially influencing readers to perceive this as the primary cause of the disaster. This framing might overshadow other significant factors that contributed to the tragic outcome. The early introduction of the 'criminal' label sets a tone of blame and judgment, even though the investigation is still ongoing.
Language Bias
The article uses strong, emotionally charged language, such as "almost criminal," "devastating," and "puzzling," to describe the events and the experts' opinions. These words influence the reader's perception of the situation, potentially creating a more sensationalized narrative. Using more neutral terms like "serious error," "significant," and "unclear," would make the reporting more objective.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the potential 'criminal' error of the concrete wall at the runway's end, quoting experts who suggest it was a major contributing factor to the high death toll. However, it omits detailed investigation into other potential contributing factors, such as the possibility of mechanical failure beyond the bird strike, the pilots' actions during landing, and the airport's emergency response procedures. While the article mentions these elements, they are not explored in depth. The lack of in-depth analysis of these factors limits the reader's ability to form a comprehensive understanding of the causes of the crash.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by strongly emphasizing the concrete wall as the primary cause of the high death toll, while downplaying other potential contributing factors. While the wall's proximity is certainly a concern, it's presented almost as the sole reason for the severity of the accident, potentially overshadowing other important aspects that require investigation.
Gender Bias
The article features several male aviation experts (David Learmount, Geoffrey Dell, Geoffrey Thomas, Marco Chan) and only one female expert (Sally Gethin). While this isn't inherently biased, it's worth noting the gender imbalance in the selection of sources. The analysis does not show gender bias in the language used to describe the experts.
Sustainable Development Goals
The plane crash resulted in 179 fatalities, representing a significant negative impact on the well-being of many individuals and their families. The incident highlights the importance of robust aviation safety measures to prevent such tragedies and protect human life.