Authorities are continuing their investigation following the crash of Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, which claimed the lives of 179 individuals near Muan International Airport, South Korea, on December 29, 2024. Seven days after the disaster, which resulted from the aircraft landing without its landing gear deployed, the urgency to understand the factors contributing to this tragedy is palpable.
The widely-discussed video titled "The Last Moments of the Pilot" has surfaced online, showcasing the harrowing attempt of the cockpit crew during the final moments before impact. A segment of the footage shows one of the pilots reaching toward the control panel as the aircraft careens off the runway, colliding with a concrete wall and bursting aflame. The emotional weight of witnessing this has drawn heartfelt reactions from viewers, with one commenter stating, "If I think about his thoughts in those last moments, I cry." Another shared insights reflecting on the skillful yet tragic execution of the landing as they noted, "He [the pilot] perfectly executed a difficult belly landing, only to suddenly face a concrete wall." Clearly, the footage has struck a deep emotional chord with the public.
With only two survivors out of the 181 onboard – both crew members – the details leading up to the incident are subject to mounting scrutiny. Eyewitness accounts have cited sparks and loud bangs just prior to the crash, leading to speculation about mechanical failures. "I saw sparks and heard a bang," reported Yoo Jae-yong, who was near the airport during the incident. More alarming is the possibility of bird strikes causing complications with the flight’s hydraulics and landing gear mechanisms.
According to the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, malfunctioning hydraulics due to complete engine failure may have prevented the gear from deploying properly, raising many questions about pilot response. Observers have speculated whether the pilots reverted to manual control, which, as Jeong Yun-sik, a professor of flying operations at Catholic Kwandong University stated, demands significant physical exertion. The constant struggle to regain control, especially under imminent danger, cannot be overstated. Jeong mentioned, "If both engines failed and hydraulic systems malfunctioned, the pilot relied on manual control through cables, which is incredibly demanding physically."
The investigation is buoyed by the efforts of the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), which has taken possession of the aircraft's black boxes. These data recorders are currently being analyzed, with authorities preparing for what could be months of research to unearth the causes behind this tragedy. Following the crash, the ministry mandated inspections of all Boeing 737 aircraft within the country, emphasizing heightened scrutiny of existing maintenance protocols following recent incidents linked to the model.
On January 7, 2024, the search for additional wreckage and victims ended as almost all bodies were identified, and the airport remains closed during the investigation. Flags across the nation are being flown at half-mast as South Korea enters a week of mourning. Interimspräsident Choi Sang Mok expressed condolences to the families, noting, “We extend our deepest sympathies and compassion to those who lost their lives unexpectedly.”
The situation is compounded by the distressing accounts of victims’ families, waiting for the identification of their loved ones. A relative of one passenger recounted the heartbreak, “I can’t believe the whole family is just gone.”
While initial analyses are leaning toward the possibility of bird strikes triggering the crash, some experts remain skeptical of this theory. Aviation consultant Gerald Wissel noted, “The landing gear could have been deployed manually; the question remains why emergency responders were not prepared with foam cover.”
Christian Hellberg, managing director of the German Committee Prevention of Bird Strikes remarked, emphasizing the risks posed by bird strikes: “The larger the bird, the greater the impact energy, and the risk of severe damage increases.”
Throughout this incident, Jeju Air has publicly expressed their regret for the loss of life and pledged their commitment to cooperating fully with authorities to ascertain what occurred. The airline's CEO, Kim E Bae, took responsibility for the tragedy and stated, “We deeply apologize to everyone affected by the incident at Muan airport.”
The somber realities of the crash beckon broader discussions surrounding air travel safety, maintenance standards, and operational protocols, igniting calls for systemic changes within the airline sector.