A devastating aviation accident occurred on Sunday at Muan International Airport, where Jeju Air Flight 7C341, carrying 181 individuals, crashed during its landing approach, leading to the tragic loss of at least 179 lives. This incident marks one of the deadliest plane crashes in South Korean history.
The flight, which took off from Bangkok, Thailand, was attempting to land at approximately 9:03 AM local time when it experienced significant difficulties. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft belly-land, skidding down the runway without its landing gear deployed, before colliding with structures at the end of the runway and bursting ablaze. The alarmingly rapid succession of events, combined with unfavourable weather conditions and early indications of mechanical failure, forced the crew to issue a Mayday call just before impact.
According to the latest figures from the National Fire Agency, emergency services confirmed the recovery of only two survivors from the wreckage—two crew members found amid the tail section of the aircraft. The rest of the passengers, including 173 South Koreans, two Thai nationals, and six crew members, perished. Tragically, this incident has surpassed the previous deadliest aviation accident to take place on Korean soil, which involved 66 fatalities during the 1993 crash of an aircraft operated by the now-defunct airline, Asianna Airlines.
Initial reports suggest multiple causative factors for the crash. Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of the Muan fire station, mentioned, "The cause of the accident is presumed to be a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions. This, paired with reported issues linked to the plane's landing gear, will be confirmed through detailed investigations." Eyewitness accounts corroborate these claims, indicating the plane may have struck birds prior to its failed landing attempt, prompting warnings from the airport's control tower.
The aircraft involved, identified as a Boeing 737-800, was part of Jeju Air's primary fleet and noted for its safety history—until this tragic day. Authorities have retrieved the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which will provide significant insights for the investigators. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport reported on the swift mobilization of 32 fire engines and countless firefighters to the crash site, which became engulfed by flames almost immediately following the mishap.
Acting President Choi Sung-mok has declared Muan International Airport as a special disaster zone, moving to implement nationwide mourning for those lost. During his briefing to the media, he pledged, "The government will put all available resources toward managing this tragic incident and supporting the families of the victims." A formal national mourning period has been instituted, with plans for memorial altars set up across various cities as well as half-mast flags at public buildings.
Jeju Air has publicly expressed its deep condolences, with CEO Kim E-bae stating, "Regardless of the accident's cause, we as the airline take full responsibility. We will make every effort to aid those affected and determine how this tragedy occurred." The company, which had recently expanded its international routes including the Bangkok-Muan route, now faces intense scrutiny following the incident.
Reports indicate the initial landing approach was unsuccessful, prompting the flight to circle and attempt landing again, which ended catastrophically as the plane collided with the terminal building before igniting. Analysis indicates potential issues with the aircraft, which was registered as HL8088 and manufactured back in 2009. Notably, it had been operational and registered with Jeju Air since 2017.
FlightRadar24, the aviation tracking and data management service, noted the aircraft's operational history before the crash. It revealed no immediate indicators of mechanical failure prior to the flight taking off, thereby raising questions among aviation experts about whether this incident was caused by external factors.
The subsequent investigations will take considerable time, potentially delaying answers to anxious families and the public. Meanwhile, relevant authorities have dismissed initial thoughts on whether the runway length could have contributed to the crash, confirming other aircraft had successfully operated from the 2,800-meter runway without issue.
The aviation community and passengers alike are left grappling with the impact of one of the country's most horrific aviation disasters, waiting to see how this will affect the local airline industry, Jeju Air's future operations, and overall flight safety protocols moving forward. The composure of the nation is tested as it confronts the grave reality of the accident, reminding all of the inherent risks tied to air travel.