A devastating plane crash involving a Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to South Korea has left 179 dead, with only two survivors rescued from the wreckage. The incident occurred during a landing attempt at Muan International Airport on Sunday, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent South Korean history.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, carrying 181 people, encountered issues shortly before landing. During the first approach, air traffic control alerted the pilot to a potential bird strike. Moments later, the pilot declared a “mayday” and attempted a belly landing with the landing gear retracted.
Dramatic footage captured the plane skidding along the runway, trailing smoke, before crashing into a wall at the runway’s end and erupting in flames.
Among the victims were 175 passengers, including two Thai nationals, and four crew members. The survivors, both flight attendants aged 25 and 33, were pulled from the wreckage by rescue teams.
Officials have launched an investigation into the crash, focusing on a possible bird strike and adverse weather conditions. Deputy Transport Minister Joo Jong-wan confirmed the recovery of both black boxes the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder which could provide crucial insights.
Philip Butterworth-Hayes, an aviation consultant, called the incident “catastrophic,” emphasizing that modern crash protection systems are highly robust.
While some questioned the runway length at Muan airport, authorities dismissed this as a factor, noting that similar-sized aircraft operate on the 2,800-meter (9,200 feet) runway without issue.
A bird strike a collision between birds and aircraft can be hazardous, particularly if birds are ingested into an engine. The 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” is a well-known example, where a bird strike caused dual-engine failure, forcing an Airbus A320 to make an emergency water landing.
While bird strikes are relatively rare, they remain a serious concern in aviation safety. Butterworth-Hayes noted that substantial birds damaging an engine, as suspected in this crash, is an uncommon but significant event.
Hundreds of firefighters, emergency responders, and military personnel were deployed to the crash site. South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, declared the area a special disaster zone.
Family members of the victims, many in tears, gathered at the airport as recovery operations continued.
The tragedy unfolded during a period of political turmoil in South Korea. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law earlier this month before his impeachment. Acting President Choi, in office for just three days, convened an emergency cabinet meeting and visited the crash site to oversee the response.
As investigators analyze the black box data, the nation mourns the loss of 179 lives. This disaster has drawn attention to aviation safety measures and the unpredictable nature of bird strikes, emphasizing the importance of rigorous investigations and enhanced preventive measures.
