South Korea plan crash

South Korea Plane Crash - Full Update

A tragic aviation accident occurred on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport in South Korea, involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800. The aircraft, operating as Flight 2216 from Bangkok, was carrying 181 individuals—175 passengers and six crew members. Upon landing, the plane skidded off the runway, collided with a concrete fence, and burst into flames, resulting in 179 fatalities. The two survivors, both flight attendants, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Details of the Incident

Flight Information

Jeju Air Flight 2216 departed from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and was scheduled to land at Muan International Airport. [Wikipedia]

Crash Circumstances

The aircraft's front landing gear failed to deploy properly, causing it to skid off the runway and collide with a concrete fence. This led to a catastrophic fire. [The Times]

Emergency Response

Emergency services, including 32 fire trucks, several helicopters, and approximately 1,570 personnel, responded promptly. The fire was extinguished within 43 minutes.

Investigation and Possible Causes

Bird Strike Warning

Six minutes before the crash, air traffic control issued a warning about a possible bird strike. A minute later, the pilot declared a mayday.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the crash, weather conditions were favorable, with clear skies and good visibility, suggesting that adverse weather was not a contributing factor.

Investigation Status

Authorities have recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders for analysis. A joint investigation by South Korean authorities and Jeju Air is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Aftermath and Response

National Mourning

The South Korean government has declared a weeklong national mourning period and designated Muan as a special disaster zone. [AP News]

Airport Status

Muan International Airport is closed until January 1, 2025, to facilitate investigation and recovery efforts. [Financial Times]

International Condolences

World leaders, including Thailand's prime minister, have extended condolences and offered assistance. Two Thai nationals were among the passengers. [The Times]

Conclusion

This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korea's history. The ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity on the factors leading to this tragedy and to implement measures to prevent future occurrences.