A passenger plane carrying 181 individuals crash-landed on its belly at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday, resulting in an explosion and marking the worst aviation disaster in the country in nearly three decades.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air, was en route from Bangkok when it crashed around 9 a.m. local time. Officials reported that nearly all passengers on board were killed, with the death toll reaching 179 by Sunday evening, according to the National Fire Agency. Only two crew members, who were rescued from the tail section of the aircraft, survived.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash, focusing on a potential malfunction of the landing gear, possible bird strikes, and adverse weather conditions. Ju Jong-wan, a director at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, indicated that the airport had warned the plane about a potential bird strike shortly before the crash, which was preceded by a mayday alert.
Local media reported sightings of flocks of birds near the airport, and footage showed one of the engines emitting flames as the plane approached for landing. Kim E-bae, the chief executive of Jeju Air, stated that the aircraft had no prior accident history and had passed routine maintenance checks.
Experts noted that the landing gear did not appear to have deployed, and the wings' flaps were not activated for landing, suggesting the aircraft was in a flying configuration and likely traveling faster than normal for landing. Investigations into aviation crashes often reveal multiple contributing factors, which can take years to fully understand.
This incident represents the worst passenger plane crash in South Korea since a 1997 accident involving a Korean Air jet in Guam that resulted in 229 fatalities. It is also the first fatal crash for Jeju Air, a low-cost carrier established in 2005.
Prior to the crash, the aircraft had completed ten flights without incident after a diversion to Seoul due to a medical emergency. In 2021, Jeju Air faced scrutiny after a plane flew with a defect that went unnoticed by the crew. However, the airline received a safety grade of A, indicating a "very good" safety record, in the latest review by South Korean authorities.
The Boeing 737-800 model has a strong safety reputation, with approximately 4,400 units in service globally. Experts have noted the reliability of its landing gear, although maintenance issues and bird strikes remain potential factors in the crash.