Tragic South Korea Plane Crash: What We Know So Far

More than 170 people have tragically lost their lives after a plane crash during landing at Muan International Airport, South Korea, on Sunday morning. The Jeju Air flight, 7C2216, which was returning from Bangkok, Thailand, was carrying 181 people, including passengers and crew members. Tragically, 179 people have died, while two crew members survived the wreckage.

Timeline of Events

The Boeing 737-800, operated by Jeju Air, was authorized to land at 08:54 local time on Sunday (23:54 GMT). Moments later, air traffic control issued a warning about bird activity in the area. At 08:59, the pilot reported a bird strike, declaring a mayday and requesting an emergency go-around. However, the pilot was forced to land in the opposite direction and, at 09:02, the plane made contact with the runway.

The plane skidded, overshot the runway, and crashed into a wall, bursting into flames. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang followed by a series of explosions. Videos from the scene show thick smoke rising from the wreckage, which was later extinguished by emergency crews.

Possible Causes of the Crash

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with bad weather and a bird strike being among the leading factors. However, experts caution that multiple factors may have contributed to the incident. Flight recorders have been recovered, though the black boxes are damaged, and it could take up to a month to decode the data.

While some passengers reported that a bird was stuck in the wing, officials have not yet confirmed this. Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas suggested that a bird strike alone is unlikely to have caused the crash. He added that bird strikes are common, but typically don’t result in catastrophic accidents on their own.

Victims and Survivors

The flight had 175 passengers and six crew members. Among the victims, five were children under 10 years old. The youngest was a 3-year-old boy, and the oldest was a 78-year-old passenger. The official death toll stands at 179, making this the deadliest plane crash in South Korean history. Two survivors, both members of the crew, were rescued from the wreckage and are being treated in a hospital.

What’s Being Done?

In response to the crash, the South Korean government has declared the area a special disaster zone, unlocking additional resources for the local authorities and victims. The transport department has launched a nationwide safety inspection of all airlines, and Muan International Airport remains closed. Additionally, a seven-day mourning period has been declared in South Korea.

Jeju Air, the airline involved, has expressed deep sorrow and offered condolences to the victims’ families. The airline’s CEO confirmed that this was the airline’s first fatal accident since its founding in 2005.

What is a Bird Strike?

A bird strike occurs when a plane collides with a bird during flight. While such incidents are common, they rarely result in a crash. Boeing aircraft, like the one involved in this crash, are designed to withstand bird strikes. However, experts have pointed out that a bird strike, especially combined with bad weather, could contribute to a landing gear failure or other technical issues.

Ongoing Investigation

The investigation is ongoing, with experts from various fields analyzing the wreckage and flight data. Jeju Air has cooperated with the authorities and is working to understand the full scope of the tragedy.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges airlines face, even with advanced safety protocols in place, and the importance of thorough investigations to prevent future accidents.