On December 29, 2024, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800, crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulting in 179 fatalities and marking the deadliest aviation disaster in the country’s history.
The flight originated from Bangkok, Thailand, carrying 181 individuals, including passengers and crew members. As the aircraft approached Muan International Airport, it encountered difficulties during landing. Subsequently, the plane attempted a second landing without deploying its nose landing gear, causing it to skid along the runway at high speed. The aircraft overshot the runway and collided with a concrete fence, erupting into flames.
Tragically, 179 individuals lost their lives in the crash. The sole survivors are two flight attendants, aged 33 and 25, who were rescued from the tail section of the aircraft. Both are currently receiving medical treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.
South Korean authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. “The cause of the accident is presumed to be a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions,” Lee Jeong-hyun, the chief of Muan Fire Station, told a media briefing, according to The Guardian. “However, the exact cause will be announced following a joint investigation.”
Additionally, the presence of a concrete structure at the runway’s overrun, which the plane collided with, is under scrutiny. Aviation expert David Learmount noted that such structures are typically designed to be collapsible to prevent fatal collisions, and the concrete wall may have exacerbated the disaster, according to The Sun.
Investigators are analyzing the flight data and cockpit voice recorders to gain further insights into the sequence of events leading up to the crash. Factors under consideration include the aircraft’s speed, the position of flaps and landing gear, and the functionality of braking systems.
In response to the tragedy, South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, has ordered an emergency inspection of all national airline operations, with a particular focus on Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This directive aims to ensure the safety and reliability of the country’s aviation sector.
“This accident is very, very sad with the loss of life that we have seen. It’s a complicated accident that involves many, many different factors that the investigators will be looking into to really understand the confluence of those factors that led to this disaster,” Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation told CNN.
The crash has had immediate repercussions in the financial markets. Boeing’s shares experienced a significant decline, falling by 5% in premarket trading, adding to a 31% decline within the year. Similarly, Jeju Air’s stocks dropped by 9% following the incident. These market reactions reflect investor concerns over potential safety issues and the broader implications for the aviation industry.
Recovery teams are diligently working to identify the victims, a process complicated by the extensive damage and fragmentation caused by the crash. Over 600 body parts have been recovered, underscoring the disaster’s severity. Authorities are employing forensic methods to provide closure to grieving families.
As the investigation continues, the global aviation community awaits findings that may inform future safety protocols and prevent such tragedies from recurring.
