December's Dark Skies: A Surge in Global Aviation Tragedies- So What Can We Learn to Prevent it from Happening Again?
- Oscar Noone
- Jan 8
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 3
December 2024 has been marked by a string of devastating aviation tragedies that have left the flight-world reeling. This series of aviation incidents has rocked the global community, leaving us all asking the same question: Are our skies as safe as they could be?
A Month of Heartbreak
In South Korea, Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashed during an attempted emergency landing at Muan International Airport, claiming the lives of 179 people. According to The Sun, the pilot executed a "beautiful emergency landing," but a concrete wall just off the runway end, which "should not have been there," tragically ended any chance of survival for most onboard.
The devastating impact of the crash has sparked intense scrutiny into the safety standards at airports, particularly in regions with high traffic or aging infrastructure. Furthermore, the fact that the wall was concrete, rather than a collapsable material as seen in most European airports, has raised broader concerns about how these spaces are inspected and regulated globally. Many experts are calling for tighter international collaboration on airport safety regulations to prevent such oversights in the future.
Adding to the tragedy, details have emerged regarding possible miscommunications between air traffic control and the flight crew, which may have delayed critical decisions during the landing sequence. Such scenarios underscore the importance of robust training for both ground personnel and flight crews to handle emergencies effectively.
Meanwhile, in Norway, a KLM Boeing 737-8 flight faced a terrifying runway skid after a hydraulic failure forced an emergency landing. Passengers and crew were unharmed, but according to The New York Post, the plane made a "loud noise" as it veered off course. Preliminary investigations suggest that a malfunction in the hydraulic system's pressure maintenance could have led to steering difficulties during landing.
While the incident avoided fatalities, it was a stark reminder of the potential consequences of mechanical failures and the importance of ensuring maintenance records are kept on top of. Additionally, this near-miss raises broader questions about the long-term reliability of aging fleets (average age of KLM’s 737’s is 23 years) and the need for proactive measures in aircraft maintenance programs.
Furthermore, on December 25th- we saw the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines ERJ-190 on a routine flight from Baku to Grozny. Enroute, the crew had to divert from Grozny to AktauI after what was initially thought to be a turbulent weather system in the planned flight path- however was later discovered (via black box analysis) that the aircraft had suffered ‘external and technical impacts’. In the following days, 8 investigators from Turkey were dispatched to help find a cause- with an investigator from the USA suggesting that Russian Air Defence Systems may have been involved.
In an article written by the Aviation Herald, it is cited that, “on December 29th 2024- the President of Azerbaijan stated they can tell with absolute clarity that the airplane was shot down by Russia though not intentionally".
It then goes on to say that "He criticized Russia for trying to hush up the issue for days and stated he was surprised and upset about versions of events forwarded by Russia. He stated he wanted an international investigation and categorically refused Russia's suggestion to have the MAK investigate the accident”.
Out of the 67 souls on board, 28 survived- with 7 sustaining extensive injuries and have since been placed in intensive care. This tragic incident highlights the importance of ensuring that civilian aircraft are not to be involved in military operations- regardless of whether they were an accidental or intended target.
Are We Taking Aviation Safety for Granted?
These accidents bring up pressing questions: How much trust do we place in aviation systems, and are we doing enough to justify that trust? Air travel has statistically been proven as one of the safest modes of transportation, with rigorous maintenance schedules and highly trained personnel ensuring safe and timely operations. However, as these incidents demonstrate, even the smallest error or oversight can lead to catastrophic consequences.
The Jeju Air crash, in particular, highlights the multifaceted nature of aviation safety, which extends beyond just the aircraft. Ground infrastructure, air traffic coordination, and even environmental factors all play a role in ensuring safe operations. From wildlife management to the removal of ineffective structures, the focus must be on creating a fail-safe environment.
The KLM incident serves as a reminder that modern aircraft, despite their sophistication, are not immune to mechanical issues.
This is especially true on aircraft like the Boeing 737-800, where it utilises both fly-by-wire and conventional power assisted flight control surfaces- hydraulic systems become crucial to safe operations. Yet, these systems rely heavily on regular maintenance and robust design to perform under pressure. Recent incidents have prompted discussions on whether the current standards for monitoring critical components are stringent enough to catch potential failures before they escalate.
These events serve as both a sobering reality check and a call to action. The industry is continuously evolving, and the next generation of pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers will play a crucial role in addressing these challenges.
Learning from Loss
In the wake of these events, aviation authorities worldwide are under pressure to examine what went wrong. In the case of the South Korean crash, The Times reported that investigators are focusing on why the ILS (Instrument Landing System) beacon was approved to be placed in a concrete wall.
This incident underscores a critical gap in ground safety management. Maintaining safe airport operations requires meticulous planning, regular inspections, and strict adherence to regulations. Investigators have also pointed to the potential for human error in approving the flight path, as certain runway obstacles may not have been communicated effectively to the crew.
For the KLM incident, questions about hydraulic system vulnerabilities are at the forefront. Modern aircraft rely on intricate hydraulic systems for essential functions such as steering, braking, and landing gear deployment. These systems are generally reliable but not infallible. In this case, investigators have speculated that a seal failure in the hydraulic system could have caused a rapid loss of pressure, impairing the pilot’s ability to control the aircraft during landing. This near disaster highlights the importance of continuous innovation in mechanical design and the implementation of redundant systems to ensure safety.
It also underscores the value of periodic reviews of existing maintenance practices, with a focus on predicting and mitigating potential failures before they pose a risk.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
Whilst December 2024’s dark skies serve as a sobering reminder of the complexities and risks involved in aviation; air travel still remains statistically the safest method of travel- with the likelihood of someone being involved in a fatal accident reaching the odds of 1 in 7 million. What these incidents highlight however, are that aviation hasn’t got it right just yet, and there are most definitely areas where improvements are needed.
Despite this- history has shown that the flight industry is undeniably quick at implementing change, working with a causation-correlation analysis pattern, to ensure the correct change is implemented in an effective and timely manner.
By learning from these incidents and implementing robust solutions, the industry can continue to build a safer future for everyone who takes to the skies.
Sources:
The Sun: Hero pilot’s ‘beautiful’ emergency landing was foiled by concrete wall
The New York Post: KLM Airlines Boeing plane skids off runway in Norway
The Times: South Korea plane crash: Jeju Air disaster kills 179
Aviation Herald: https://avherald.com/h?article=521fd4fb
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