Jeju Air crash: 179 Dead, investigations focus on bird strike
A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to South Korea crashed during landing at Muan Airport on Sunday, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. Only two flight attendants, aged 25 and 33, survived.
The Boeing 737-800 departed Bangkok around 9:00 am and attempted to land at Muan Airport. Moments before the crash, air traffic control warned of a bird strike during the plane’s first landing attempt. The pilot declared a “mayday” and made a second attempt.
Footage shows the plane skidding on its belly, landing gear retracted, before hitting a wall and bursting into flames. Authorities confirmed all 175 passengers and four crew members died, with victims aged 3 to 78, including two Thai nationals.
Investigators are examining bird strike and adverse weather as possible causes. Aviation expert Philip Butterworth-Hayes called the crash a “rare and catastrophic event,” noting the robust safety features of modern aircraft. Both black boxes have been recovered to aid the investigation.
Officials ruled out the runway’s length as a factor, stating its 2,800 meters accommodates similar-sized aircraft without issue. Bird strikes, though uncommon, remain hazardous, as large birds can disable jet engines.
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, declared the crash site a special disaster zone. Hundreds of firefighters, emergency responders, and military personnel were deployed to assist. Meanwhile, grieving families gathered at the airport.
This tragedy unfolded amid South Korea’s political crisis, with President Yoon Suk Yeol recently impeached and martial law declared. Acting President Choi convened an emergency cabinet meeting and visited the crash site, pledging full support for the victims’ families and a thorough investigation.
The crash recalls the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson,” where a US Airways plane safely landed after a bird strike. Unlike that incident, this crash ended in devastating loss, making it one of South Korea’s worst aviation disasters.
