China boosting safety measures after recent accidents
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Jan 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 28
China's announcement to strengthen aviation safety comes after two major accidents: a deadly crash involving Jeju Air and another incident linked to Azerbaijan Airlines.
In response, China according to CGTN is focusing on improving oversight and regulations to prevent future accidents. The government emphasizes enhanced safety protocols and technology integration as part of its commitment to maintaining high standards in the rapidly growing aviation sector, addressing both domestic needs and international concerns about aviation operations.
China's aviation safety is governed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), which enforces regulations to ensure secure air travel. The Civil Aviation Law of the People's Republic of China outlines these safety standards.
National People's Congress
Reuters reports that in response to a rise in aviation incidents, including 318 fatalities in 2024—the highest since 2018—the CAAC has intensified safety assessments. Measures include alerting airlines to potential threats, adjusting flight routes, and enhancing bird strike prevention and runway safety.
Additionally, China Daily is writing that the CAAC has been conducting nationwide inspections focusing on runway end safety zones and surface conditions to mitigate risks. Shu Mingjiang, safety director of the CAAC, said this at a news conference in Beijing on january 3.
Jeju Air Flight 2216 - incident details
On December 29, 2024, Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, tragically crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulting in the deaths of 179 individuals—175 passengers and 4 crew members. The aircraft had departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, en route to Muan International Airport.
Bird Strike: During its initial approach to Muan International Airport, the aircraft encountered a bird strike, leading to a mayday alert and necessitating a go-around.
This is what Aviation Safety Network writes about the the minutes before the fatal tragedy:
Flight 2216 departed Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) at 19:28 UTC on a flight to MWX.
While on approach to MWX, at 23:57 UTC (08:57 LT), the Muan Tower controller issued a bird activity warning.
Two minutes later, the flight declared an emergency: «Mayday, mayday, mayday ... Bird strike, bird strike, going around.»
A situation then developed wherein the flight made a 180 degree turn back for a landing on runway 19, the opposite direction of the initial approach and intended landing direction.
The aircraft then made a gear-up landing about two third down the runway. It then impacted the wall and antenna array.
The antenna array was built on a 2 metre high concrete mound, covered with a dirt mound.
Landing Attempt: On the second landing attempt, the aircraft failed to deploy its landing gear, resulting in a belly landing well beyond the normal touchdown zone.
Runway Overrun: The aircraft overran the runway and collided with a berm encasing a concrete structure that supported an antenna array for the instrument landing system.
Casualties: The collision resulted in the deaths of all 175 passengers and 4 of the 6 crew members. The two surviving cabin crew members were seated in the rear of the plane, which detached from the fuselage, and were rescued with injuries.
Investigation and findings
Investigations revealed that the concrete structure, which supported the navigation sensor, was not properly documented in airport charts, leading pilots to misidentify it as a simple dirt mound. This misidentification contributed to the aircraft's collision with the structure. Aviation experts criticized the decision to use a rigid concrete structure for the localizer, suggesting that a non-rigid structure could have mitigated the severity of the accident.
In response to the incident, South Korean police conducted raids on Jeju Air and the airport operator as part of their investigation into the crash.
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 - incident details
On December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, an Embraer 190 aircraft, tragically crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in the deaths of 38 individuals—29 passengers and 6 crew members. The flight was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it deviated from its planned route and crashed during an emergency landing attempt.
Diversion and Crash: The aircraft veered off its scheduled path, flying hundreds of miles off course, and crashed on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea near Aktau, Kazakhstan.
Casualties: Of the 67 people on board, 38 lost their lives, while 29 passengers survived, thanks to the heroic efforts of the flight crew.
Investigation and findings
Russian Air Defense Involvement: Preliminary investigations suggest that the aircraft was unintentionally shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile. This occurred as Russian air defenses were engaged in repelling a Ukrainian drone attack over Chechnya.
Black box analysis: Investigators from Brazil, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia are collaborating to extract and analyze data from the aircraft's black boxes to determine the exact cause of the crash. The investigation is ongoing, with no set deadline for the findings.
Reactions and consequences
Azerbaijan's response: President Ilham Aliyev has called on Russia to admit responsibility for the incident and has criticized Russia for attempting to conceal the event. He has also demanded compensation and accountability for those responsible.
Russian apology: Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology for the "tragic incident" but did not formally accept responsibility.
Has improved significantly
Kazakhstan has worked to meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In recent years, its Effective Implementation (EI) score—a measure of compliance with ICAO standards—has improved significantly, reflecting better adherence to global safety protocols.
Historically, Kazakhstan faced safety challenges, including being placed on the European Union Air Safety List (EU blacklist) in 2009 due to deficiencies in oversight. However, it was removed from the list in 2016 after substantial reforms and improvements.
The country has according to CAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and Aviation Safety Network invested in modernizing its aviation infrastructure, including upgrading airports and air traffic management systems.
Kazakhstan has introduced stricter certification processes for airlines and regular audits to ensure compliance with safety standards. It has also emphasized pilot training and the use of advanced technologies to improve operational safety.
With increasing air traffic, particularly due to its strategic location as a transit hub between Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan is focused on maintaining safety standards while accommodating growth.
Comac follows
China’s COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) is advancing its ambitious C919 project, a milestone in the nation’s aerospace industry. The C919, designed to compete with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, is undergoing rigorous safety testing and certification processes to meet international standards. COMAC’s focus on safety underscores its commitment to securing a foothold in the global aviation market.
The C919 is a crucial part of China's strategy to reduce dependence on foreign aircraft manufacturers and establish itself as a major player in the aviation sector. As one of the largest aviation projects in China's history, it represents years of investment, engineering, and technological progress.
COMAC aims to deliver a competitive alternative in the narrow-body jet category, catering to the growing global demand for efficient, modern aircraft. If successful, the C919 could reshape the aviation market and further China’s position as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
