On Sunday morning, South Korea faced its worst aviation disaster to date when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed at Muan International Airport, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. The plane, en route from Bangkok, skidded on its belly during landing, collided with a wall, and erupted in flames. Only two flight attendants survived, one in critical condition with a spinal injury.
Bird Strike and Landing Gear Failure Under Investigation
Authorities are focusing on a suspected bird strike and a rare landing gear failure as potential causes of the crash. The aircraft’s flight recorders, retrieved from the wreckage, may hold crucial data, although one is reportedly damaged.
Footage shows the plane approaching with one engine aflame before sliding down the runway at high speed, largely intact, until the fatal collision with an embankment. A bird strike warning was issued two minutes before the pilot declared an emergency and aborted an initial landing attempt.
Pilot’s Heroic Efforts and Unanswered Questions
The pilot, an experienced captain with nearly 7,000 flight hours, issued a mayday call and attempted a go-around. Despite clearance to land on an alternate runway, the crash occurred. Experts have ruled out runway length as a factor, and investigators are working to determine if the bird strike and landing gear malfunction were connected.
Jeju Air and Boeing Respond
Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-Bae, confirmed no signs of malfunction during the plane’s routine maintenance. The 15-year-old jet, leased by Jeju Air in 2017, was previously operated by Ryanair. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has pledged support for the investigation, sending specialists to assist.
Jeju Air shares plummeted 16% in early trading Monday, reflecting the company’s lowest record to date.
Global Implications and Rising Air Safety Concerns
The crash marks the deadliest passenger airline disaster in South Korea’s history, surpassing the 2002 Air China crash near Busan that claimed 129 lives. It also highlights a troubling rise in global air accidents after a near-flawless 2023 for commercial aviation.
Nation in Mourning Amid Political Turmoil
Acting President Choi Sang-mok declared a week of mourning following the tragedy, which coincides with a deepening political crisis in South Korea. Recovery efforts at the crash site involve over 1,500 personnel, with the airport’s runway remaining closed for days.
As the world mourns, investigators face the daunting task of piecing together the final moments of Flight HL8088 to uncover the causes behind this devastating accident.
