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Muan, South Korea – December 29, 2024 – A devastating aviation disaster struck South Korea when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport. The flight, arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, was carrying 181 people, including 175 passengers and 6 crew members. Tragically, 179 people lost their lives, making this one of the deadliest aviation accidents in the country’s history.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. local time on Sunday, as Flight 2216 was preparing to land. According to early reports, the aircraft’s front landing gear failed to deploy, forcing the plane to attempt a belly landing on the runway. However, the plane skidded off the runway, crashed into a concrete barrier, and erupted into flames. While emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, only two crew members survived, both of whom are receiving treatment for injuries.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a bird strike might have caused the landing gear failure. Airport authorities had issued a warning about a bird strike shortly before the crash, and the pilot had sent out a distress signal moments before the aircraft’s landing attempt. Despite the favorable weather conditions at the time – clear skies, light winds, and good visibility – the failure of the landing gear led to a catastrophic sequence of events.
The runway at Muan International Airport had been under construction, shortening its length from 2,800 meters to 2,500 meters. However, officials have downplayed the potential role of the shorter runway in the crash, citing other contributing factors, including the mechanical failure.
The emergency response to the disaster was swift, with over 1,500 personnel mobilized, including firefighters, police officers, and military personnel. The fire, which had engulfed the plane, was extinguished within 43 minutes of the crash, though the damage was extensive.
In the aftermath of the crash, South Korea has declared a national mourning period, with condolences pouring in from around the world. The loss has been felt deeply, as this incident surpasses the 1997 crash of Korean Air Flight 801 as the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea’s modern history.
The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Boeing. The investigation is expected to take several months as authorities work to determine the precise sequence of events leading to this heartbreaking tragedy.
As the nation grieves, authorities have promised a thorough investigation, with the world closely watching for answers. The crash has once again highlighted the risks of air travel, even when conditions appear favorable, and serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of continued vigilance in aviation safety.
For now, the thoughts of a nation remain with the victims and their families, as they try to comprehend the scale of the tragedy that unfolded on a seemingly routine flight.