South Korea was in mourning on Monday, after a devastating crash involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 that killed 179 people The plane , which was traveling from Thailand to South Korea, cras.hed during its arrival at Muan International Airport on Sunday. The disaster left only two survivors—two flight attendants who were rescued from the wreckage.
Cause of the Crash: Bird Strike Suspected
The crash is believed to have been caused by a bird strike. Officials suggested that a bird may have struck the plane, leading to a catastrophic failure. The plane was severely damaged, with fire officials describing it as “almost completely destroyed.” Footage of the crash shows the plane landing on its belly, skidding off the runway, and then crashing into a wall, followed by a huge explosion.
Investigation Underway with US Support
In response to the disaster, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has sent investigators, including experts from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), to help South Korean authorities probe the cause. Both black boxes—the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder—have been recovered to assist in the investigation.
Two Survivors Among the Crew
One of the flight attendants who survived was reported to be awake and communicating in the hospital. The 33-year-old attendant sustained multiple fractures, while the other survivor, a 25-year-old woman, had injuries to her ankle and head.
Families Grieve at the Airport
At the airport, tearful relatives gathered, anxiously waiting for news. Authorities announced that 65 victims had been identified, each announcement bringing fresh waves of grief. Rescue teams worked late into the night, lifting the wreckage with a crane. Bits of luggage and plane seats were scattered around the crash site.
Passengers and Crew Members
All of the passengers were Korean, except for two Thais, a three-year-old child and a 78-year-old adult. Among the grieving family members, an elderly man who had lost his son aboard the plane spoke to reporters, and a woman named Jo, who had lost her younger sister, also shared her sorrow.
Bird Strike Warning and Mayday Call
Minutes before the crash, the control tower had warned of a bird strike, and the pilot had issued a mayday distress call. Despite this, speculation regarding the length of the runway being a contributing factor was dismissed by authorities.
Jeju Air and Boeing Respond
Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, expressed deep regret, with top officials bowing in apology during a press conference. Boeing also reached out to Jeju Air, offering their support in the aftermath of the crash.
National Mourning and Global Condolences
South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok declared a seven-day national mourning period and visited the crash site. President Joe Biden also expressed his sorrow, offering his condolences to the South Korean people. Memorial altars will be set up across the nation to honor the victims.
Jeju Air’s First Fatal Accident
This tragedy marks the first fatal accident in Jeju Air’s history, which began operations in 2005. The disaster underscores the dangers of bird strikes, which have caused fatal accidents globally due to the risk of aircraft power loss when birds are ingested into engine intakes.