Muan, South Korea- December 29, 2024 - In a tragic turn of events, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed at Muan International Airport, resulting in the death of 179 passengers and crew. The flight, which originated from Bangkok, Thailand, was attempting to land when it veered off the runway, hitting a barrier and bursting into flames. Only two crew members from the tail section survived the catastrophe.
The Incident:
The flight, numbered 7C 2216, approached Muan Airport around 9:00 AM local time. According to South Korean transport officials, the pilot had initially tried to land but aborted due to a reported bird strike warning. Moments later, a mayday call was issued, and the plane was instructed to land from the opposite direction. However, the aircraft skidded along the runway without deploying its landing gear, crashing into a wall in a fiery explosion.
Footage broadcast by local media showed the plane sliding on its belly at high speed before erupting into a fireball. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud "bang" noises before the crash, and a passenger sent a final message to a relative mentioning a bird stuck in the wing.
Aftermath and Response:
The immediate response involved a massive mobilization of emergency services. More than 1,500 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and military members, were deployed to the scene. The fire was brought under control within 43 minutes, but the damage was catastrophic. The plane's tail section was the only part retaining some shape, with the rest of the aircraft largely unrecognizable.
Rescue operations pulled two survivors, both flight attendants, from the wreckage. One survivor was reported to be conscious and able to communicate, despite severe injuries, while the other was also in critical condition. The rest of the passengers and crew, including 175 passengers and four additional crew members, perished in the accident.[](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c4glr85l2ldt)[](https://x.com/CGTNOfficial/status/1873225511339737420)
**Investigation and Causes:**
The South Korean government, led by Acting President Choi Sang-mok, declared a seven-day national mourning period, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the crash's causes. The Acting President visited the site, promising full support to the bereaved families and ensuring a transparent investigation.
Aviation experts have questioned the role of the reported bird strike in causing such a disaster, noting the absence of landing gear and the plane's speed during the crash landing. The possibility of mechanical failure or other contributing factors is under scrutiny. The flight data and cockpit voice recorders, known as "black boxes," were retrieved to aid in understanding the sequence of events leading to the crash.
Political and Public Reaction:
This tragedy comes at a time of political turmoil in South Korea, with the acting presidency managing both the disaster response and a political crisis. There has been an outpouring of grief and calls for answers from the public, with families of the victims gathering at the airport in anguish. The incident has not only highlighted the need for improved aviation safety but also tested the government's disaster response capabilities amidst political instability.
International Assistance:
The United States has offered support through the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading a team of investigators, including members from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to assist in the probe
As South Korea mourns, the focus remains on understanding how this tragedy unfolded to prevent future incidents. The recovery of the black boxes offers hope for clarity, but the impact of this disaster on the nation's aviation safety protocols, the affected families, and the broader community will be felt for years to come. The government's transparency and the ongoing investigation will be crucial in healing and rebuilding trust in air travel safety