A tragic aviation incident unfolded in southwestern South Korea on December 29th when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport. The flight, designated 7C-2216, had departed from Bangkok, Thailand, and was nearing the end of its four-hour and thirty-minute journey when the accident occurred.
The crash happened at approximately 9:03 AM local time, just as the aircraft was making its final approach. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports indicate that the plane failed to extend its landing gear correctly. While the front landing gear was only partially deployed, the main landing gear remained completely retracted. As a result, the aircraft was unable to halt before careening off the runway and crashing into a mound at high speed, leading to a devastating explosion upon impact.
Initial speculation suggested that a bird strike might have caused the malfunction in the landing gear. However, this claim remains unverified, with no sources cited to confirm the information. In a further twist of events, one of the two crew members who survived the crash reported to investigators that one of the plane’s engines had exploded, emitting smoke during the approach. Supporting evidence for this account was captured in footage aired by MBC-TV.
The ill-fated Boeing 737-800, registered as HL8088, was approximately 15 and a half years old at the time of the accident. Originally delivered to Ryanair in September 2009, the aircraft was taken out of service in 2016 before being acquired by Jeju Air in 2017. According to data from Planespotters.net, the aircraft had a serial number of 37541 and a line number of 3012.
Tragically, out of the 175 passengers and 6 crew members on board, local fire department officials have confirmed that at least 62 people lost their lives in the crash. As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge in the coming hours and days, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this catastrophic event.
As the nation grapples with the repercussions of this disaster, our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is expected to lead a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the exact causes and prevent future occurrences.
