In one of the gravest aviation tragedies in South Korea’s history, 179 people lost their lives on Sunday when Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, en route from Bangkok to Muan International Airport, crash-landed. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, belly-landed shortly after 9 a.m. local time, skidding off the runway and crashing into a wall in a fiery explosion.
The South Korean Ministry of Transport reported that the flight crew had declared a mayday following warnings of a potential bird strike. The aircraft’s landing gear failed to deploy, leading to the tragic outcome. The only survivors were two crew members rescued from the tail section; both are receiving treatment for severe injuries.
Footage captured by local media showed the plane skidding down the runway without visible landing gear before colliding with navigation equipment and erupting into flames. Muan Fire Chief Lee Jung-hyun described the wreckage as "almost unrecognizable," save for the partially intact tail section.
The crash marks the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil, surpassing the Air China crash of 2002 that claimed 129 lives. It is also the worst involving a South Korean airline since the Korean Air tragedy in Guam in 1997.
Aviation authorities are probing multiple factors, including bird strikes and adverse weather conditions. A preliminary report suggested a bird may have struck the aircraft, causing critical malfunctions. Gregory Alegi, an aviation expert, highlighted several unanswered questions, including the aircraft's speed, the position of its flaps, and the landing gear's failure to deploy.
Under international aviation protocols, South Korea will lead the investigation with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, expressed condolences and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. The engines, manufactured by CFM International, also underwent scrutiny, with the company extending its sympathies to the victims' families.
The tragedy has left families shattered. Many passengers were South Koreans returning home from vacations, along with two Thai nationals. Families gathered at Muan Airport’s arrival area, where grief-stricken relatives clung to each other as officials read out the names of identified victims.
One passenger texted a family member moments before the crash, describing a bird stuck in the wing and ominously asking, "Should I say my last words?"
Jeon Je-young, whose daughter perished in the crash, watched the video repeatedly, trying to comprehend the disaster. "She was almost home," he lamented.
Airline and Government Response
Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae issued a public apology, vowing to prioritize support for the victims' families. He confirmed the aircraft had no history of malfunctions and departed Bangkok without reported issues.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who assumed leadership amid South Korea’s political crisis, visited the crash site and pledged comprehensive government support. All flights at Muan International Airport have been suspended pending further investigations.
Global Condolences
World leaders extended their sympathies. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed the deaths of two Thai nationals and assured the families of full support.
As the investigation unfolds, this devastating tragedy highlights the fragility of air travel and the profound impact on the lives of those affected.
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