At least 177 people have died following the catastrophic crash of Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 at Muan International Airport on Sunday, December 29. The aircraft, which was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, crashed upon landing after failing to deploy its landing gear, sparking intense fires and experts questioning the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Boeing 737-800, arriving from Bangkok with 181 people on board, was attempting to land shortly after 9:00 AM local time when it veered off the runway, hit the ground equipment, and then crashed against a wall, erupting in flames, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Witnesses captured harrowing video footage of the jet skidding down the runway, completely without landing gear. "Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of it looks almost impossible to recognize," Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun stated during the briefing. The fire was extinguished by 1:00 PM, but not before leaving devastation and tragedy.
Initially, two crew members were rescued from the wreckage and were reported to have sustained moderate to severe injuries. Unfortunately, the aftermath saw more than 177 individuals, predominantly believed to be South Koreans, perish.
The events leading to this disaster were rapid. Muan International Airport's control tower had issued warnings about potential bird strikes shortly before the landing attempt. The tower also instructed the flight to divert to Runway 19 due to the danger posed by birds. This communication occurred just minutes before the flight's mayday call.
During the attempts to adjust the landing approach, shortly after switching runways, the aircraft failed to lower its landing gear and tragically crashed.
Joo Jong-wan, director of the Aviation Policy Division, detailed the timing, affirming the crash transpired approximately two minutes after the mayday declaration, adding pressure for authorities as they endeavored to determine the full extent of the circumstances causing the loss of life.
The situation became chaotic as families awaited information at Muan Airport. Amid grief and confusion, family members sought answers, with one relative lamenting, “My older brother died and I don’t know what’s going on.” Others rallied around, emphasizing the need for closure and clarity.
This tragic incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters South Korea has seen, rivaling only historical events from nearly three decades ago. Jeju Air's CEO, Kim E-bae, publicly expressed remorse over the accident and offered support for bereaved families, stating, "Above all, we extend our heartfelt condolences and apologies to the passengers who tragically lost their lives and to their bereaved families."
Investigations are already underway to elucidate the exact causes of the crash, including the potential bird strikes impacting the aircraft leading to the malfunction of the landing gear. The United States Federal Aviation Administration has been notified, and resources are mobilized to assist with this inquiry.
“The birds were spotted, the mayday was declared soon after, and then we see the plane attempting to land,” detailed Joo during one of the briefings with press. “Our focus will be to gather thorough data from the flight recorders, which are pivotal for unraveling what transpired.”
For Jeju Air, the airline was established back in 2005 and has not experienced any fatal flights until this monumental tragedy. Their history of safety was well regarded within the aviation sector, marking this incident as shocking and devastating.
The crash has raised significant alarm over aviation safety protocols, with experts questioning the responses by air traffic control and the emergency management processes at the airport. Investigators are expected to thoroughly analyze all available data, including cockpit communications and flight patterns leading up to the incident.
Survivor statements and passenger accounts following the crash are invaluable, as investigations continue to determine whether adequate safety measures were executed throughout the aircraft's approach and landing.
The impact of this crash extends beyond the tragic loss of life; it poses larger questions surrounding air safety regulations, the need for stringent protocols surrounding bird strikes, and the response strategies airlines must adopt during emergencies.
Responding to the victims and their families remains imperative, as the community grapples with this loss. Many are processing deep grief, compounded by the challenges of answering questions surrounding the accident.
Choi Sang-mok, the acting president of South Korea, arrived at the crash site, committing to mobilize national resources to assist with firefighting and recovery operations, describing the area as "a special disaster zone." He reaffirmed the government's dedication to investigating the crash thoroughly and assuring the public of enhanced safety measures moving forward.
With recovery operations transitioning from rescue to supporting victims' families, authorities are preparing to establish makeshift mortuaries to accommodate the deceased at the airport.
The overarching tragedy of the Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crash at Muan International Airport reflects not just the immediate heartache for families and survivors but also serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent within aviation safety, underscoring the need for rigorous standards and unwavering vigilance.