Deadly Plane Crash in South Korea: 179 Killed at Muan Airport

On Sunday, December 29, a plane operated by Jeju Air and arriving from Bangkok crashed while landing at Muan Airport in southwestern South Korea, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-8AS first commissioned in 2009, was carrying 175 passengers, including two Thai nationals, and six crew members. Only two crew members survived the disaster.

Was a bird strike the cause?

Preliminary reports indicate that the plane attempted an emergency landing without deploying its landing gear. It struck a wall at the end of the runway, caught fire, and was almost completely destroyed, with only the tail section remaining intact. Footage shows rescue teams working around the charred wreckage as firefighters quickly extinguished the flames.

The crash may have been caused by a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions. Moments before the accident, an explosion was observed in the plane’s right engine, and the pilot issued a distress signal. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.

This incident, the deadliest in South Korea’s aviation history, surpasses the 2002 crash near Busan-Gimhae Airport, which claimed 129 lives. It is also the first fatal accident for Jeju Air, a low-cost carrier founded in 2005.

Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok visited the site and mobilized all relevant agencies to assist the victims and their families. In a statement, Jeju Air offered its apologies and pledged full cooperation with the authorities.

As efforts to identify the victims continue, this tragedy highlights the rarity but severe consequences of aviation accidents in the country, often stemming from extraordinary circumstances.