Fire engines work to extinguish a fire at the Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — On Sunday, December 29, 2024, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 jetliner skidded off the runway at Muan International Airport, crashed into a concrete barrier, and burst into flames. The plane, arriving from Bangkok, was attempting to land when its landing gear reportedly failed to deploy. Out of the 181 people onboard, 179 tragically lost their lives, marking one of South Korea’s deadliest aviation disasters.
Footage broadcasted on South Korean television showed the aircraft speeding across the runway without its landing gear deployed. Moments later, it slammed into a concrete fence, triggering a massive explosion and thick black smoke. Emergency services rushed to the scene and managed to rescue two crew members, both conscious and reportedly in stable condition.
Lee Jeong-hyeon, the chief of the Muan fire station, described the wreckage as almost entirely destroyed, with only the tail section still recognizable. Investigators are examining whether a bird strike might have caused the failure, as air traffic control had warned the pilots about birds moments before the landing attempt.
The Transport Ministry confirmed that the pilots issued a distress signal before the crash. Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been recovered. Authorities believe it could take months to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
Aviation expert John Cox suggested a possible hydraulic failure, pointing out that flaps and slats, which help slow the plane during landing, were not deployed. Another expert, Ross “Rusty” Aimer, noted that the plane seemed to skid on its engine cowlings after using most of the runway length.
Relatives of passengers gathered at Muan International Airport, grieving and seeking answers. Meanwhile, flights at the airport remain suspended until January 1, 2025, as investigations continue.
The Boeing 737-800, widely regarded as a reliable aircraft, has been in service for years and is unrelated to the troubled 737 Max series. Despite the plane’s strong safety record, Sunday’s tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of landing failures.
One survivor, currently receiving treatment for multiple fractures, recounted waking up to find himself being rescued from the wreckage. Details about the other survivor remain undisclosed.
As investigations progress, aviation experts and authorities aim to uncover the cause of this catastrophic event and prevent such tragedies in the future.
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