The departure hall in Muan International Airport in Muan-gun, South Korea.

Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 people crashes at Muan International Airport in South Korea

On December 29, 2024, Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulting in the deaths of 174 out of 181 occupants. Two Thai nationals were among the passengers.

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The flight originated from Suvarnabhumi Airport near Bangkok, Thailand, destined for Muan International Airport in South Jeolla, South Korea, carried 175 passengers and six crew members.

At approximately 09:07 local time, the aircraft attempted to land at Muan International Airport. Due to a failure in the front landing gear deployment, the plane executed a belly landing, skidding off the runway and colliding with an embankment.

The collision resulted in a significant explosion and fire. Emergency services responded promptly, extinguishing the fire within 43 minutes. Despite their efforts, 174 individuals were confirmed deceased, with only two survivors rescued.

Initial reports suggest that adverse weather conditions combined with a bird strike may have led to the landing gear failure. Investigators have recovered the aircraft’s black box and are conducting a thorough analysis to determine the exact cause of the malfunction. The Boeing 737-800 involved in the crash was known for its strong safety record. This incident marks the first fatal accident in Jeju Air’s 19-year history.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok declared the area a special disaster zone, mobilizing over 1,500 emergency personnel, including firefighters and police officers, to assist in rescue and recovery operations. Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae issued a public apology to the victims and their families, pledging full cooperation with the investigation and support for those affected by the tragedy.

This disaster is the deadliest aviation accident on South Korean soil, surpassing the crash of Air China Flight 129 in 2002. It is also the deadliest aircraft accident of the 2020s and the most severe since the crash of Lion Air Flight 610 in 2018.

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Authorities, including the South Korean Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, are conducting a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the precise factors contributing to the crash.

-Thailand News (TN)

TN

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