Seoul: In the wake of South Korea‘s worst air disaster, acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered an emergency safety inspection of the nation’s entire airline operation. This directive comes as investigators work diligently to identify victims and determine the cause of the tragic crash, which resulted in the deaths of 175 passengers and four of the six crew members aboard the Jeju Air flight.
Details of the Crash
The incident occurred when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 attempted to land at Muan International Airport. The aircraft experienced a belly landing, skidding off the end of the runway and igniting a fireball upon crashing into a wall. Remarkably, two crew members survived the accident.
At a disaster management meeting in Seoul, President Choi emphasized the government’s priority to identify victims, support their families, and provide care for the two survivors. He stressed the importance of transparency in the investigation process and urged officials to keep bereaved families informed promptly.
Emergency Safety Inspections
In response to the disaster, President Choi requested that the transport ministry conduct an immediate and thorough safety inspection of the entire aircraft operation system to prevent future accidents. As a first step, the ministry announced a special inspection of all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airlines, which began on Monday. The focus of this inspection will be on the maintenance records of key aircraft components.
Investigation into the Cause
The ill-fated Jeju Air flight 7C2216 was arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, and was attempting to land shortly after 9 a.m. local time when the tragedy occurred. Investigators are currently examining various factors that may have contributed to the crash, including potential bird strikes, the status of the aircraft’s control systems, and the pilots’ rushed decision to land shortly after declaring an emergency.
Experts have raised several questions regarding the incident, particularly why the aircraft appeared to be traveling at an unusually high speed and why its landing gear did not seem to be deployed during the landing. The aircraft was powered by two CFM 56-7B26 engines, manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and France’s Safran.
During the flight’s final approach, the pilots reported a bird strike to air traffic control, shortly after being warned of bird activity in the area. Following this, they issued a Mayday warning and signaled their intention to abort the landing attempt and go around for another approach. Unfortunately, moments later, the aircraft made a belly landing approximately 1,200 meters along the 2,800-meter runway, ultimately sliding into the embankment at the runway’s end.
Conclusion
This tragic incident has sent shockwaves throughout South Korea and raised significant concerns about aviation safety in the country. As the investigation unfolds, officials are committed to uncovering the causes of this devastating crash and ensuring that necessary measures are implemented to prevent similar accidents in the future. The focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and the survivors as the nation grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy.
