A deadly plane crash occurred in South Korea on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 176 people. Witnesses reported seeing flames in the engine of the aircraft and hearing explosions as a Jeju Air flight skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport and collided with a concrete fence. Authorities are investigating a potential landing gear failure caused by a bird strike that may have led to the crash. Videos show the plane attempting to land without its landing gear deployed.
The flight was carrying 181 people at the time of the collision, and emergency workers were able to rescue two crew members who are conscious and in stable condition. Three individuals remain missing. The plane involved in the crash was identified as a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet that was returning from Bangkok, Thailand. Boeing expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and stated that it stands ready to support Jeju Air during this difficult time.
Witnesses near the airport described their experiences leading up to the crash. One witness reported seeing a spark on the plane’s right wing before hearing a loud explosion. Another witness witnessed the plane descending, noticing a flash of light followed by a loud bang, smoke in the air, and a series of explosions as the aircraft crashed into a concrete wall. Other witnesses reported hearing metallic scraping sounds before the crash occurred.
According to one witness, a flock of birds collided with the plane as it was landing, resulting in a fire in the right engine. The director of Airports of Thailand confirmed that there were no reports of abnormal conditions with the aircraft or runway prior to departure. Jeju Air issued a statement expressing deep apology for the crash and stating that it will do everything possible to manage the aftermath of the accident.
The investigation into the deadly plane crash in South Korea is ongoing, with authorities looking into the potential landing gear failure caused by a bird strike. The tragic incident has resulted in the loss of many lives, and emergency workers are continuing to search for the missing individuals. The plane involved was a Boeing 737-800 jet, and witnesses near the airport described hearing explosions and seeing flames before the crash occurred.
As details of the crash continue to emerge, the airline, Jeju Air, has expressed its condolences and pledged to support those affected by the tragedy. The witnesses’ accounts of what they saw and heard leading up to the crash provide valuable insight into the sequence of events that unfolded. The investigation will likely focus on the cause of the landing gear failure and the impact of the bird strike on the aircraft’s engine.
The South Korean government and aviation authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the crash and to ensure that such a tragic incident does not happen again in the future. The families of the victims are mourning their loved ones, and the survivors are receiving medical treatment and support. The entire aviation industry is mourning the loss of life and working to prevent similar accidents from occurring, highlighting the importance of safety measures and risk mitigation strategies.