Recent Update on Airplane Crash Muan International Airport in South Korea

A tragic aviation disaster occurred at Muan International Airport in South Korea on December 29, 2024, involving a Jeju Air flight that resulted in the deaths of at least 179 people. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members when it crashed while attempting to land after a flight from Bangkok, Thailand.

Details of the Airplane Crash

The crash happened around 9:03 AM local time when the plane deviated from the runway and collided with a wall before bursting into flames. Eyewitness accounts and images from the scene showed thick black smoke rising from the wreckage as emergency services responded.

Cause of the Airplane Crash

Preliminary investigations suggest that a bird strike may have led to a malfunction in the landing gear. Just minutes before the incident, the airport control tower issued a warning about potential bird strikes. The pilot declared a Mayday shortly after receiving this warning, but the aircraft was unable to land safely.

Response and Aftermath

In response to this devastating event, South Korea declared a seven-day national mourning period. Acting President Choi Sang-mok emphasized the need for comprehensive rescue efforts and mobilized all available resources to assist in the ongoing operations at Muan Airport.

This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents in South Korean history, comparable to previous disasters such as the Korean Air flight shot down by a Soviet fighter jet in 1983 and another crash in Guam in 1997 that resulted in numerous fatalities.

It is also noted as Jeju Air’s first deadly accident since its establishment in 2005 and highlights ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety amid increasing incidents of bird strikes at airports across South Korea.

As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine the exact causes and contributing factors behind this tragic event.