The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) on Monday said that it is investigating China Airlines after one of its flights to Busan, South Korea, on Wednesday last week was reported to have narrowly avoided hitting a hill, the site of a 2002 Air China crash that killed more than 100 people.
Former pilot James Wang (王天傑) said in a live stream on Sunday night that CI186 to Gimhae International Airport failed to turn in time while circling on approach, exceeding the approach zone, passing over the Namhae Expressway and nearly hitting Mount Dotdae, the site of the April 15, 2002, Air China Flight 129 crash that killed 129 of its 166 passengers.
On June 12, CI186 landed on the wrong runway at the same airport, an incident that also gained attention after Wang discussed it on YouTube.
Photo: Screen grab from the Civil Aviation Administration’s Web site
China Airlines denied that last week’s flight almost hit the hill, saying that the flight crew executed a go-around in accordance with protocol after determining that the aircraft did not meet the criteria for a stabilized approach.
“A stabilized approach is a practice encouraged by the CAA to ensure flight safety. The aircraft on Wednesday last week landed safely at Gimhae International Airport on the second approach, which met the criteria for a stabilized approach,” the airline said in a statement.
“We continue to remind and train our flight crew based on the distinct qualities of each airport,” it said.
The CAA said it has asked the flight crew who are commissioned to carry out special assignments at the airline to undergo training after the June 12 incident, adding that they must strictly follow standardized procedures.
“We would investigate this alleged safety incident on Wednesday last week and order China Airlines to review it. The company must reinforce the safety of flight operation, including increasing the training in flight simulators,” it said.
After the June 12 incident, the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it would investigate China Airlines, while the Transportation Safety Board said it would support it if requested.
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