A devastating crash of a Jeju Air passenger jet at South Korea’s Muan International Airport on Sunday claimed the lives of 179 passengers, leaving only two crew members as survivors. The incident has prompted an emergency safety inspection of the nation’s airline operations system, ordered by Acting President Choi Sang-mok.
Timeline of the Crash
South Korea’s transport ministry and fire authorities provided a detailed timeline of the final moments of Flight 7C2216:
- 8:54 a.m.: Air traffic control authorizes landing on runway 01.
- 8:57 a.m.: A “caution – bird activity” advisory is issued.
- 8:59 a.m.: The pilot reports a bird strike and declares an emergency, requesting to switch to runway 19 for landing.
- 9:02 a.m.: The aircraft touches down at the 1,200m point of the 2,800m runway.
- 9:03 a.m.: The plane overshoots the runway, crashing into an embankment.
- 9:50 a.m.: Rescue teams retrieve the second survivor from the tail section of the aircraft.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
The transport ministry has begun a detailed investigation, focusing on whether the bird strike alone caused the crash or if other factors, such as high speed or landing gear issues, contributed. Experts have raised concerns about the plane’s velocity and its apparent failure to deploy landing gear correctly.
A special inspection of all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airlines is under consideration. Choi Sang-mok emphasized the importance of transparency in the investigation process and swift updates to grieving families.
Impact on Aviation Safety
The tragedy has spurred a nationwide review of aviation safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. Muan International Airport remains closed as recovery and investigative efforts continue.
This catastrophic event highlights the critical need for stringent safety measures and thorough investigations to ensure the safety of air travel.
