Asiana Emergency Exit Repair Costs Exceed 600 Million Won... Review of Reimbursement Claims Underway

Estimated Repair Cost for Damaged Parts Only 640 Million Won
Request for Preventive Policy Review to Aircraft Manufacturing Authorities

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's interim investigation into the 'forced opening of an emergency exit door during flight' incident that occurred last month revealed that the aircraft repair costs for the damaged parts could exceed 600 million KRW. The airline is reportedly considering claiming compensation related to this matter.

According to the 'Interim Investigation Results on the Illegal Opening of Asiana Airlines Emergency Exit' obtained by Jang Cheol-min, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 8th, the passenger aircraft involved in the incident sustained damage to three parts, including the emergency door and slide, with estimated damages of approximately 640 million KRW.

The aircraft underwent temporary repairs at Daegu Airport immediately after the incident and was moved to Incheon on the 30th of last month for ongoing repairs.

Separately, Asiana Airlines is also reportedly estimating its own damage costs. Additionally, Asiana is considering pursuing a claim for compensation against the suspect, Mr. Lee (33), who opened the emergency door.

Incident Occurred on Aircraft Model Without Automatic Emergency Exit Lock... Request for Strengthened Warnings to Manufacturer

On the afternoon of the 26th of last month, a flight from Jeju Airport to Daegu Airport operated by Asiana Airlines landed with the emergency exit door open. A flight attendant is seen installing a safety bar on the door and spreading her arms to block it. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport explained that the reason the door could be opened during flight was because "when the pressure difference between inside and outside is low, the emergency exit can be operated," and "the seat in question was close to the emergency exit, allowing inadvertent operation while seated."

They further explained that other aircraft models have an automatic emergency exit lock function after takeoff, but the A321 model involved in the incident does not have this feature.

To prevent similar incidents and accidents, the Ministry has informed the aircraft manufacturing authorities?the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)?about this case and requested that they consider implementing an alarm that sounds when the emergency exit lever cover is opened during flight. This technical review is currently underway.

Furthermore, since the seats very close to the emergency exit are structured so that the emergency exit lever can be operated even while wearing a seatbelt, the Ministry has also requested a review to strengthen seat installation standards.

In addition, separate from the investigation agencies, the Ministry has secured on-site closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and is investigating whether Asiana Airlines, the captain, and crew members of the flight violated the Aviation Security Act.

Emergency Door Opened During Flight... "Angry Because of Late Arrival"

On the afternoon of the 26th of last month, Mr. A, a man in his 30s who boarded an Asiana Airlines flight from Jeju Airport to Daegu Airport, was urgently arrested by the police on suspicion of opening the aircraft door just before landing (violation of the Aviation Security Act). The photo shows Mr. Lee Mo (wearing a black top) being transferred from Daegu Dongchon Police Substation to Daegu Dongbu Police Station. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to the Ministry's investigation, the incident on Asiana Airlines flight 8124 from Jeju to Daegu on the 26th of last month at 12:37 PM occurred when passenger Mr. Lee illegally opened the emergency door. This happened at an altitude of 213 meters, about two minutes before landing. The door remained open as the aircraft touched down on the runway at 12:38 PM.

At 12:42 PM, passenger Mr. Lee, who was seated right in front of the emergency exit, suddenly unfastened his seatbelt and attempted to jump from the plane while it was taxiing on the ground. Passengers and crew members jointly restrained him, and a passenger who was a doctor immediately provided medical attention to Mr. Lee.

As the doctor disembarked, he mentioned to the purser that "Mr. Lee opened the door because he was angry about the plane's late arrival."

After disembarking, Mr. Lee, who was outside the terminal building, confessed to the crime while talking with an accompanying Asiana Airlines ground staff member. The police were notified about 30 minutes after the aircraft landed, at approximately 1:13 PM.

Mr. Lee was taken into custody on the 2nd on charges of violating the Aviation Security Act and property damage following the police investigation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.