In one of South Korea’s worst aviation disasters, a Jeju Air passenger plane skidded off the runway at Muan International Airport on Sunday, slamming into a concrete fence and bursting into flames after its front landing gear failed to deploy. Tragically, 179 of the 181 individuals on board perished, leaving only two survivors. Associated Press reported
The 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet was en route from Bangkok when the crash occurred at 9:03 a.m., approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul, according to the South Korean Transport Ministry. The deceased include 85 women, 84 men, and 10 individuals whose genders remain unidentified. The two survivors, both crew members, are reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities have recovered the aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders for analysis. Initial findings indicate the control tower issued a bird strike warning moments before the crash and authorized a landing adjustment. However, the pilot sent a distress signal just before the incident, officials stated.
Muan Fire Station Chief Lee Jeong-hyeon confirmed that the plane was almost entirely destroyed, with only its tail assembly intact. Emergency responders and investigators are working to identify all victims and determine the precise cause of the accident.
Footage aired on South Korean television showed the aircraft skidding at high speed, colliding with a concrete wall, and erupting in flames. Thick plumes of smoke engulfed the wreckage. Jeju Air President Kim E-bae publicly apologized during a televised news conference, expressing full responsibility and extending condolences to the bereaved families.
Boeing, in a statement, pledged its support for Jeju Air and extended sympathies to the victims’ families.
The South Korean government has declared Muan a special disaster zone and a weeklong national mourning period. Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site and urged officials to expedite recovery efforts.
Global leaders, including Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, conveyed condolences. Pope Francis also joined in prayer for the victims during his Angelus address in Rome.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest air disasters in South Korea’s history. The last major aviation accident occurred in 1997 when a Korean Airlines plane crashed in Guam, claiming 228 lives. The incident also draws parallels to global landing mishaps, including a 2010 Air India Express crash in Mangalore that killed 158 people.
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As South Korea grapples with this catastrophe, the aviation community worldwide awaits answers from the ongoing investigation.
