On December 29, 2024, tragedy struck at Muan International Airport, South Korea when Jeju Air flight 7C2216, carrying 181 people, crashed during its landing attempt. This catastrophic event has resulted in confirmation of at least 122 fatalities, with only two survivors, both of whom were crew members.
The flight, which had embarked from Bangkok, Thailand, was initially scheduled to land at 8:30 AM local time. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, attempted to touch down but failed on its first try, leading to a go-around maneuver. It was during the second landing attempt at approximately 9:07 AM when disaster struck, as the plane reportedly lost its landing gear functionality and skidded off the runway, crashing through the airport's perimeter fence and erupting in flames.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage have surfaced showing the plane gliding along the runway without its landing gear, trailing debris and eventually colliding with the fence, resulting in explosions. Initial reports suggest bird strikes may have been responsible for the landing gear failure. While bird strikes are common, their direct link to gear malfunction needs thorough investigation.
This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters for Jeju Air, raising serious safety concerns. The aircraft involved had flown previously just two days before, with passengers reporting engine trouble during the same plane's flight. A passenger who traveled on December 27 recounted her frightening experience of the engine dying multiple times, expressing concern to the flight attendants; they reassured her there was no cause for alarm.
The aftermath of the crash has seen rapid response from emergency services, with 80 firefighters engaged for over 40 minutes to extinguish the flames. The South Korean authorities have dedicated efforts to recover victims and investigate the cause of the accident. Of the total number aboard, 175 passengers were from South Korea, two from Thailand, and the flight crew consisted of six members.
Acting President Choi Sang-mook convened emergency meetings to coordinate rescue operations and recovery efforts. He assured the public, stating, "We are doing everything we can to rescue survivors and contain the damage." The government has set up specialized teams to assess the damage and determine the factors leading up to this horrific crash.
Later developments included confirmation of 122 deceased, with many bodies recovered from the wreck, as the precious wreckage revealed the grim reality: sections of the aircraft were charred beyond recognition. A local rescue team spokesperson described the scene as "devastation; the plane broke apart upon collision with the wall." Authorities mentioned the difficulty of identifying victims due to the extent of the destruction.
Investigators are now focused on the aircraft’s maintenance history and examining whether mechanical failures or factors like weather conditions contributed to the crash. Interestingly, Muan International Airport had just begun international flight operations earlier this month, making the crash even more troubling at this new gateway.
Witnesses have been sharing their experiences, many reported the inability to understand what was happening as the flight landed under chaotic circumstances. Rescued crew members are now hospitalized for treatment, one of them, identified as Lee, reportedly questioned, "What happened? Why am I here?" upon regaining consciousness, indicating the shock and confusion surrounding the catastrophic incident.
Regulatory bodies and aviation safety organizations will be closely monitoring the investigation's developments. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport denied suggestions of runway length being a factor but urged all avenues of inquiry be thoroughly explored.
This aviation disaster not only raises questions about safety practices and mechanical integrity at Jeju Air but also raises the specter of how prepared the country’s aviation sector is to handle such dire incidents, especially as it contemplates the management of increasing flight operations at Muan International Airport.
Families of victims and survivors are receiving updates from authorities as organizations prepared to support them during this tragic period of bereavement. The future for Jeju Air remains uncertain, and the public watches closely as the inquiry progresses.