The passenger plane of Jeju Air tragically crashed on Sunday at Muan International Airport in South Korea, in a devastating blow to a grieving country. The South Korea plane crash involved a Boeing 737-800 and has been regarded as one of South Korea’s deadliest air disasters.

South Korea Plane Crash

The Jeju Air flight carrying 181 passengers and crew members was returning from Bangkok when it went down at 9:03 a.m. local time. Eyewitness accounts suggested that the front landing gear did not fully deploy, and the plane slid off the runway before striking a concrete fence. That’s when the plane went down and caught fire.

Rescue workers were dispatched to the scene at Muan International Airport, located about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul, in quick order. At least 151 people are believed to have died, and rescuers are still searching for the other passengers and crew members.

A parachute and a bicycle from Jeju air flight crashed

Rescuers retrieved two crew members alive from beneath the wreckage. The pair was discovered conscious and are being treated for medical conditions. More than 1,560 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, soldiers, and medical staff, have been mobilized to carry out rescue operations.

Thirty-two fire trucks and several helicopters were sent to put out the fire, which burned for hours. Rescue workers are facing treacherous conditions, including extreme heat and falling debris, in an effort to retrieve victims.

Investigation underway

The Transport Ministry has opened a broad probe to identify the reason behind the crash. Preliminary evidence indicates a potential mechanical malfunction in the landing gear. South Korean and Boeing aviation experts are working together to examine both flight data and the wreckage.

In a statement, Jeju Air offered deep condolences to the victims’ families and said it would fully cooperate with authorities. The airline said the plane was a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800, which had passed its frequency examination.

Reactions across South Korea

The tragedy has sent shockwaves across South Korea. Muan International Airport is closed, and flights have been diverted to nearby airports. The acting president, Choi Sang-mok, has declared the region a special disaster zone and pledged state support for the families of the victims.

Across the country, memorial services and vigils have been planned. All of them observe solidarity with the affected families, calling for better protection of civil aviation.

Safety implications for the aviation sector

This is a lesson on the importance of strict maintenance procedures and general emergency preparedness. We are on the side of in-depth inspections of similar aircraft after all if used inside South Korea to prevent these tragedies in the future.

As we get more information about what has transpired, the nation grieves the lives impacted in this awful incident. 

It’s a chilling reminder of how fickle air travel can be — and how advances in aviation safety can save our lives.

Reference:

1. Kim, H., & Tong-Hyung, K. (2024, December 29). South Korea plane crash: At least 177 killed after flight bursts into flames | AP News. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-plane-fire-68da9b0bd5196feed6e7d2db849f461a

2. HT News Desk. (2024, December 29). South Korea plane crash live: 2 crew members conscious, admitted to hospital. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/south-korea-plane-crash-live-updates-jeju-air-muan-boeing-death-toll-101735437972261.html

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