Tragedy struck on Sunday, December 29, when Jeju Air flight JJA-2216, arriving from Bangkok, crashed during its landing attempt at Muan Airport, resulting in the deaths of at least 120 passengers and crew. Among the 181 individuals on board, just two survived, both of whom were crew members. Firefighters who responded to the scene reported the grim statistics shortly after the incident, stating, "Up to now, two survivors and 120 dead." The flight, which took off from Bangkok, Thailand, met with catastrophe around 9:03 AM local time, approximately 290 kilometers southwest of the capital, Seoul.
The Boeing 737-8AS, which had been operational since 2009, encountered severe difficulties during its approach. Initial investigations indicated the presumed cause of the crash was linked to a collision with birds combined with adverse weather conditions, which led to the malfunction of the landing gear. Lee Jeong-hyun, the chief of the Muan fire station, clarified these points, saying, "The cause of the accident is presumed to be a collision with birds combined with adverse weather conditions, but the exact cause will be announced after investigation." This kind of incident raises serious safety concerns, as bird strikes can significantly impact aircraft operations.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage have painted a harrowing picture of the moments leading up to the crash. One defined moment showed the aircraft emitting smoke from its engines shortly before the accident. After failing to land properly, the aircraft struck obstacles at the end of the runway, leading to immediate ignition and fire engulfing the fuselage. A fire official stated during discussions with families of the victims, "Passengers were ejected from the plane during the collision with the barrier, leaving them with little chance of survival." The plane was described as "almost entirely destroyed," complicity identifying deceased individuals.
Rescue operations commenced rapidly, with various emergency service vehicles and numerous firefighters responding to the devastated site. Tragically, images broadcast by local TV channels depicted the burned wreckage, highlighting the intense firefighting efforts made by crews on the ground. With the wreckage primarily incinerated, identification of victims proved extremely difficult.
The South Korean government, under interim president Choi Sang-mok, called for urgent governmental meetings and mobilized all necessary resources for rescue endeavors. Choi, only recently appointed after political turmoil led to the ousting of previous leaders, stated, "All agencies concerned must mobilize all available resources to save people." This emphasizes his commitment to ensuring prompt action and support.
This devastating incident marks the first deadly accident for Jeju Air, one of South Korea's largest low-cost carriers since its inception in 2005. While Jeju Air has experienced incidents before, such as non-fatal mishaps, this event proves to be catastrophic. CEO Kim E-bae expressed deep sorrow on behalf of his company, declaring, "Jeju Air will do everything it can to address this accident. We sincerely apologize." This sentiment captures the weight of responsibility and grief the airline must shoulder.
Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has also responded, stating they are ready to assist Jeju Air through this tragedy. They expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. "We express our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our thoughts go to the passengers and crew," they stated. This cooperation between the manufacturer and airline is imperative during investigations, ensuring safety protocols are reviewed and necessary changes implemented.
Air travel incidents are very rare within South Korea. Previous significant disasters include the crash of Air China’s Boeing 767, which killed 129 people near Busan-Gimhae airport back in 2002. Further, before Sunday’s crash, the last fatal incident involving South Korean carriers occurred when an Boeing 777 operated by the now-defunct airline, was involved in a tragic landing mishap at San Francisco airport, leading to three fatalities and numerous injuries back in 2013. For the most part, the country maintains one of the safest aviation records globally.
With investigations underway, the focus now shifts to family reunifications and the investigation of surviving evidence to determine the causes leading to this horrific loss of life. The public seeks answers, and these answers must emerge from thorough investigations to restore confidence not only for Jeju Air but the aviation industry within South Korea as well.