SEOUL, South Korea — The devastating crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 has been marked as South Korea's worst aviation disaster, claiming the lives of all but two of the 181 people on board. Authorities announced on January 1, 2024, the identification of all 179 fatalities, as they continue to unravel the specific causes of this tragedy at Muan International Airport.
On the morning of the tragedy, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which had departed from Bangkok, Thailand, issued a distress call just before 9 a.m. Local reports indicated the aircraft belly-landed at high speed, skidding off the runway and colliding with a concrete wall, resulting in flames engulfing the wreckage. Eyewitness accounts and video footage revealed the aircraft struggling with landing gear deployment before the crash.
According to South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, shortly before landing, the control tower warned of potential bird strikes, to which the pilot reacted with urgency. The ministry stated, "Before landing, the control tower issued a warning of a bird strike, and the pilot sent a distress signal immediately afterwards." A total of 175 passengers and six crew members were aboard the ill-fated flight.
From the wreckage, only two crew members were rescued, now recovering from non-life-threatening injuries at separate hospitals. The glaring loss of life has prompted severe national mourning, with citizens grieving for their loved ones lost during what has been recognized as the most catastrophic air disaster on South Korean soil.
Investigators from the United States, including experts from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), have been deployed to assist South Korean authorities. They have begun examining the site of the crash as well as safety protocols for similar models currently operational within the country. An NTSB representative noted, "Additional NTSB investigative staff are standing by to assist if needed, including specialists in recorders, powerplants, and survival factors, among other specialties," underscoring the gravity of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Jeju Air announced plans to bolster their maintenance crew and reduce flight operations amid concerns over the safety of their aircraft, stating they will lower operations by 10-15% until March 2024. President Kim E-bae shared this initiative during press briefings, noting, "We aim to prioritize passenger safety above all else during this trying time." The Transport Ministry has since begun comprehensive safety checks on 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, searching for discrepancies related to maintenance records.
Aviation experts have proposed various theories concerning the crash's causes, highlighting malfunctioning hydraulic systems and insufficiently deployed landing gear. John Hansman, renowned aviation expert from MIT, indicated, "The crash was most likely the result of a problem with the plane’s hydraulic control systems," aligning with reports of control difficulties leading the pilots to request emergency landing protocols.
Authorities have prioritized examining the aircraft's black boxes—crucial tools for accident analysis. Joo Jong-wan, South Korea's deputy minister for civil aviation, confirmed the initiation of the data extraction from the cockpit voice recorder, stating, "Based on this preliminary data, we plan to start converting it to audio format." This analysis aims to capture last communications from the flight crew.
Local officials have drawn attention to the concrete barrier located beyond the runway. Experts have suggested it may have been improperly placed too close to the take-off area. Najmedin Meshkati, engineering professor at the University of Southern California, voiced concerns, stating, "Having such a big concrete barrier over there was really very bad luck for this airplane," implying the need for revisiting airport safety measures to mitigate future risks.
On January 1, grieving families approached the site of the crash to pay their respects as authorities began releasing the identities of the deceased. Families gathered at makeshift memorials, reflecting on their loss amid emotional tributes. Park Han Shin, representing the bereaved families, criticized the government's handling of the situation, particularly their failure to provide adequate accommodations for the deceased, stating, "The last dignities of the victims are seriously hurt. We strongly criticize authorities for failing to keep their promise."
The national mourning period has been marked by canceled events, as citizens pay respects through silence and reflection. Broadcasters have followed suit, suspending usually celebratory programming to honor those lost.
Overall, as investigations continue, the emphasis remains on unraveling the events surrounding Flight 2216, ensuring accountability, and offering solace to grieving relatives struck by this unparalleled tragedy.