SEOUL, South Korea — A tragic aviation incident occurred on Sunday in South Korea when a jetliner veered off the runway, crashed into a concrete barrier, and erupted in flames, reportedly due to a malfunction in its landing gear. This disaster, one of the most catastrophic in the region’s history, resulted in the deaths of 179 out of the 181 individuals aboard, as confirmed by officials.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air, was arriving from Bangkok and was making its approach for landing in Muan, located approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Video footage captured during the incident displayed the airplane skidding along the runway at an alarming speed with its landing gear seemingly still retracted. It ultimately collided with a concrete wall, leading to a violent explosion and dense black smoke billowing into the sky.
According to South Korea’s fire agency, 179 lives were lost in the crash, while emergency responders successfully rescued two crew members. These survivors were conscious and not thought to be suffering from life-threatening injuries, as stated by health officials.
Lee Jeong-hyeon, the head of the Muan fire station, remarked during a press briefing that the aircraft was entirely obliterated, with only remnants of its tail remaining in the wreckage. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident, including the possibility of a bird strike, which was noted by airport officials who alerted the plane’s crew shortly before landing. They also granted permission for a landing at a different location just prior to the incident.
Joo Jong-wan, a senior official from the Transport Ministry, indicated that investigators have recovered the aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders, but noted that a thorough examination could take many months. The runway has been closed until January 1, the Ministry announced.
Experts analyzing the crash mentioned that the pilots may not have extended the flaps or slats, leading to reduced slowing of the aircraft, possibly indicating a hydraulic failure. They also didn’t manually lower the landing gear in time. John Cox, a retired airline pilot, explained that despite the unfortunate circumstances, the jet was flying straight and level until it struck the barrier, which turned a controllable situation into a disaster.
Ross “Rusty” Aimer, another aviation specialist, compared the aircraft’s skid to “sliding on ice,” suggesting that the plane used a substantial portion of the runway before touching down, resulting in a loss of braking ability.
The Boeing 737-800 model involved in the incident is known for its safety and reliability, in contrast to the 737 Max planes that were involved in previous deadly accidents. According to aviation analytics, over 4,500 of this model are currently operational worldwide.
Among the survivors, one individual was reported suffering from rib, shoulder blade, and upper spine fractures, according to Ju Woong, director at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital. The man recounted waking up after being rescued. Information regarding the second survivor is still limited.
The passenger list predominantly included South Koreans, along with two individuals from Thailand. The fire agency mentioned identifying 88 of the victims shortly after the incident.
Thailand’s Prime Minister expressed sympathy for the families impacted by the tragedy, stating that aid would be coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A Thai father of a passenger, who had been in South Korea for work, shared his disbelief that their last meeting would be so final.
Jeju Air released a statement offering condolences and pledging to assist with the situation following the accident. During a news conference, the airline’s president publicly apologized and indicated a willingness to accept responsibility until the official investigation’s results are made available.
Family members gathered at Muan airport, visibly distraught as names of the deceased were announced.
Boeing stated it was ready to support Jeju Air and is maintaining communication with the airline regarding the incident.
The crash coincides with a time of political tension in South Korea, following significant political changes, including the impeachment of the acting president. In response to the tragedy, the area has been deemed a special disaster zone, and a national mourning period has been declared.
Pope Francis has offered prayers for both the victims and the survivors, while U.S. President Joe Biden extended a message of support, stating that the United States is prepared to provide any necessary assistance.
This tragic incident is one of the deadliest in South Korean aviation history, reminiscent of a Korean Airlines disaster in 1997 that resulted in 228 fatalities, and the 2013 Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco that killed three. Notably, this accident ranks alongside other significant incidents globally, reflecting the ongoing challenges in aviation safety.
