The Jeju Air Flight crash in South Korea claimed 179 lives, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in decades. Updates on the investigation, survivors, and government response...
Author: Umar Ibrahim,
Category: International News, Length: 5 minutes read
News Updates: 01/02/2025 01:30:00 am
Muan International Airport Plane Crash Skidding Aircraft and Rescue Efforts |
More than 170 was Reported Dead in South Korean Jet Crash: What We Know So Far
Seoul, South Korea (SN) — A devastating aviation disaster struck South Korea on Sunday when Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crash-landed at Muan International Airport, killing 179 people and leaving only two survivors. This tragedy, which occurred under clear skies, marks South Korea’s deadliest air disaster since 1997. New developments in the investigation have shed light on critical details about the crash.
What Happened?
The Boeing 737-800 was en route from Bangkok to Muan, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members. At approximately 9:02 a.m. local time, the aircraft failed to deploy its landing gear, causing it to skid along the runway before hitting an embankment and bursting into flames.
Footage aired on South Korean media showed the rear section of the plane engulfed in flames, with firefighters working tirelessly to extinguish the fire. Debris was scattered across the runway, and the wreckage posed significant challenges for rescue teams.
Among the deceased were 84 men, 85 women, and 10 individuals whose identities remain unclear. The two survivors, both crew members, are currently in critical condition at a Seoul hospital. The majority of victims were South Korean nationals, except for two Thai passengers.
New Updates on the Investigation
Black Box Data Recovery
Investigators have successfully extracted initial data from the flight data recorder (black box), but the cockpit voice recorder remains severely damaged and will be sent to the United States for analysis. Experts believe the black box data will be critical in determining the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Control Tower Instructions
According to the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), the control tower instructed the pilot to change course shortly before the crash. A mayday call was issued just one minute later. Investigators are now examining whether the sudden course change contributed to the disaster.
Mechanical Failure or Human Error?
While the exact cause remains unknown, investigators are focusing on landing gear failure as a primary factor. Jeju Air’s CEO has confirmed that the aircraft passed all safety checks prior to departure, raising questions about a potential mid-flight malfunction or pilot error. Weather conditions at the time were clear, ruling out adverse weather as a contributing factor.
International Collaboration
South Korea is receiving support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This international collaboration underscores the complexity of the investigation and the global interest in preventing similar tragedies.
Government Response
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, has declared the crash site a special disaster zone. Over 700 personnel from police, military, and coast guard have been mobilized to assist with recovery efforts and provide support to victims’ families.
Choi has also pledged to strengthen aviation safety protocols and ensure a thorough investigation. “We must uncover the truth behind this tragedy to prevent future disasters,” he said during a press briefing on New Year’s Day.
Boeing’s Statement
Boeing has expressed condolences to the victims’ families and offered technical support to Jeju Air and investigators. The company reiterated the strong safety record of the Boeing 737-800, distancing it from the controversial 737 Max model involved in previous crashes.
Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas noted, “The 737-800 is one of the safest planes in the world, so this crash raises serious questions about what went wrong.”
Key Takeaways
- Fatalities: 179 people died, making it South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades.
- Aircraft: The Boeing 737-800, known for its reliability, was involved.
- Investigation: Authorities are focusing on landing gear failure, pilot actions, and possible external factors.
- Response: The government has declared a disaster zone and mobilized resources for recovery and investigation.
Updated Timeline of Events
- 8:55 a.m.: Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 approaches Muan International Airport.
- 9:01 a.m.: Control tower instructs the pilot to change course.
- 9:02 a.m.: Mayday call issued. The plane crash-lands moments later.
- 9:10 a.m.: Emergency crews arrive at the scene and begin rescue operations.
Breaking News - 12/29/2024 05:22:00 pm
More than 170 Dead in South Korean Jet Crash: What We Know So Far
Seoul, South Korea (SN) — A devastating aviation disaster struck South Korea on Sunday when a passenger jet crash-landed at Muan International Airport, leaving 179 dead and only two survivors. The Jeju Air flight, carrying 181 people, slid down the runway on its belly before erupting into flames. This marks South Korea’s deadliest air disaster since 1997.
What Happened?
Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, en route from Bangkok to Muan, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members when it crash-landed just after 9 a.m. local time. The Boeing 737-800 failed to deploy its landing gear, causing the aircraft to skid along the runway before hitting an embankment and bursting into flames.
Footage aired by South Korean media showed the plane engulfed in smoke, with its rear section ablaze. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames as debris scattered across the runway.
Among the victims were 84 men, 85 women, and 10 individuals whose identities remain unclear. The two survivors, both crew members, were later rescued from the wreckage. All passengers, except two Thai nationals, were South Korean citizens.
What Caused the Crash?
Preliminary reports suggest the plane’s landing gear failed to deploy, but the reason remains unclear. Experts are investigating multiple possibilities, including mechanical failure, human error, or external factors like a bird strike.
Local officials initially speculated that a bird strike or adverse weather might have played a role, but footage from the crash showed clear skies. Aviation experts have urged authorities to avoid premature conclusions until more evidence is available.
The Boeing 737-800, widely regarded as one of the safest and most reliable aircraft, has been in service for over two decades. Jeju Air’s CEO confirmed that the plane showed no signs of malfunction before the crash, adding, “We must await the official investigation results.”
Ongoing Investigation
South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) is leading the probe, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
South Korea Plane Crash Flames, Rescue Operations, and Wreckage |
Authorities have recovered the flight data recorder (black box), but the cockpit voice recorder remains missing. These devices are crucial for understanding what went wrong during the final moments of the flight.
According to South Korea’s Land Ministry, the control tower instructed the pilot to change course shortly before the crash. A mayday call was issued one minute later, and the crash occurred just two minutes after that. Investigators are examining whether this sequence of events contributed to the disaster.
Government Response
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, declared the crash site a special disaster zone and pledged full support for recovery efforts. Over 700 personnel from the police, military, and coast guard have been mobilized for the operation.
Choi extended condolences to the victims’ families and vowed to prevent similar tragedies in the future. He emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation to uncover the root cause of the crash.
Boeing’s Statement
Boeing expressed condolences to the victims’ families and offered support to Jeju Air. The company reiterated the strong safety record of the 737-800, distancing it from the troubled 737 Max model involved in past crashes.
Analysts have described the 737-800 as a “workhorse” of the aviation industry, with an excellent safety history. Aviation journalist Geoffrey Thomas noted, “It’s perplexing that this crash occurred under clear skies and normal conditions.”
Key Takeaways
- Fatalities: 179 people died, making it South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades.
- Aircraft: The Boeing 737-800, known for its reliability, was involved.
- Investigation: Authorities are focusing on landing gear failure, pilot actions, and possible external factors.
- Response: The government has declared a disaster zone and mobilized resources for recovery and investigation.
As the investigation unfolds, the global aviation community will closely monitor developments to ensure lessons are learned from this tragedy.
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