On Sunday, December 29, 2024, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, crash-landed at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea. The incident has been confirmed as the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea in nearly three decades.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, en route from Bangkok to Muan, reported an emergency after the pilot declared a “bird strike” shortly before attempting to land. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, the control tower had warned the pilot about birds in the area before the emergency declaration.
Footage from the crash showed the plane sliding on its belly at high speed, striking an embankment, and erupting into flames. The landing gear appeared not to have fully deployed, a failure described by aviation experts as extremely rare.
Authorities reported that 179 people lost their lives, with only two survivors, both crew members. Rescue teams continue to recover and identify victims; as of Monday, 146 have been identified, with efforts ongoing to name the remaining 33.
South Korean officials, alongside investigators from the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are analyzing the recovered black boxes, including the flight data and voice recorders. Initial assessments reveal that the flight recorder suffered external damage, necessitating further analysis in Seoul or potentially in the United States.
Deputy Transport Minister Joo Jong-wan announced inspections for all Boeing 737-800 planes operating in South Korea, emphasizing checks on major components, including engines and landing gear.
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, declared a seven-day period of national mourning and designated the crash site as a special disaster zone. In a disaster control meeting, Choi promised transparency in the investigation and assured families that they would be kept informed throughout the process.
At Muan International Airport, grieving families gathered in makeshift shelters, their anguish visible as they awaited news of their loved ones. Rows of yellow tents housed those staying overnight, while mourners laid flowers and candles at a public memorial altar in Muan.
International organizations, including Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, are assisting South Korean authorities in determining the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, religious and community leaders in South Korea have joined efforts to provide comfort to grieving families.
As investigations continue, questions remain about the extent to which the bird strike and subsequent mechanical failures contributed to the crash. The tragedy has left South Korea and the global community grappling with profound grief, underscoring the critical importance of aviation safety protocols.
