Korean Air flat likely caused by foreign object

The flat tire on an a Korean Air flight that landed in Jeju Airport on July 29 was likely caused by a foreign object rather than a problem with the tire or plane itself, according to the Transport Ministry on Thursday.

A B737 carrying 147 passengers on Korean Air flight KE718 flew from Narita Airport in Japan to Jeju Airport, where it suffered a flat tire after landing.

An analysis of the destroyed nose tire showed that the tire had been damaged by a foreign object, but it was not clear whether the damage had been done at Narita Airport, or at Jeju Airport upon landing.

There were no injuries or casualties, and the plane was safely towed off the runway.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)