Firefighters operate near the wreckage of the aircraft that crashed at Muan International Airport on December 29. (Yonhap News Agency/Reuters)
Dozens Killed in South Korea's Deadliest Plane Crash in Years: What We Know So Far
On Sunday, a tragic aviation accident unfolded when a passenger jet crash-landed at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea. The aircraft skidded down the runway on its belly before erupting in flames, resulting in dozens of fatalities.
Death Toll and Survivors
At least 122 people have been confirmed dead, according to the local fire department. Among the passengers and crew, two people—both crew members—were rescued alive from the wreckage, though rescuers have warned that the chances of finding additional survivors are slim.
Jeju Air flight 7C 2216, traveling from Bangkok, carried 175 passengers and six crew members. The crash occurred just after 9 a.m. local time Sunday (7 p.m. ET Saturday).
This marks South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster since 1997, when a Korean Airlines Boeing 747 crashed in Guam, killing 228 people.
Statements from Jeju Air
The chief executive of Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, stated that the aircraft had shown “no signs of issues” before the accident.
Key Details About the Crash
Search for a Cause
Early investigations point to a possible landing gear malfunction. Lee Jeong-hyun, head of the Muan Fire Department, mentioned that the crash may have been caused by a bird strike or poor weather conditions.
Mayday Call
The pilot issued a mayday call to the control tower just one minute after being instructed to switch landing runways to avoid bird strike risks. The plane hit navigation equipment on the ground before crashing into a wall.
Black Box Recovery
Investigators have retrieved the flight data recorder but are still searching for the cockpit voice recorder. These black boxes are crucial for understanding the sequence of events leading to the crash.
Dramatic Footage
Video footage broadcast by South Korean news outlets showed the plane sliding at high speed on its belly before hitting an embankment and erupting into a fireball. Neither the front nor rear landing gear was visible as smoke poured from the aircraft.
Victim Breakdown
The South Jeolla Fire Service reported that the deceased include 54 males, 57 females, and 11 individuals whose gender has yet to be determined. Among those onboard, two Thai nationals were confirmed, with the remaining victims being South Korean.
Aircraft and Safety Record
The plane involved in the accident, a Boeing 737-800, is known for its strong safety record and is widely regarded as a reliable workhorse of the skies. Analysts note that it is unrelated to the 737 Max, which has faced controversy in recent years.
Political Implications
The crash comes at a time of political turmoil in South Korea. Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who assumed office just two days before the disaster, visited the crash site at Muan International Airport on Sunday.
This devastating event has shocked the nation, leaving families grieving and authorities scrambling to uncover the cause of one of South Korea's worst aviation disasters in decades.
0 Comments