Aviation analysts are investigating several factors that may have contributed to Sunday’s devastating plane crash in South Korea, which claimed the lives of 179 of the 181 people on board.
Potential causes under examination include a bird strike, landing gear malfunction, the presence of a concrete structure near the runway, and possible pilot error.
Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving at Muan International Airport from Bangkok, attempted to land shortly after 9 a.m. As the pilots made their scheduled approach, they informed air traffic control that the aircraft had suffered a bird strike. The pilots then issued a Mayday warning, signaling their intention to abort the landing and attempt a go-around.
Moments later, the aircraft made a belly landing, touching down approximately 1,200 meters along the 2,800-meter runway at Muan International Airport. The plane skidded off the runway, crashing into an embankment at the end of the landing strip. Upon impact, the aircraft erupted into a fireball.
Tragically, all 175 passengers and four of the six crew members perished in the crash. Rescue teams managed to pull two crew members from the wreckage alive.
Investigators are now piecing together the sequence of events leading up to the crash. The reported bird strike raises questions about wildlife management around the airport. Additionally, the possibility of a landing gear malfunction is being closely examined. The presence of a concrete structure near the runway has also come under scrutiny, as it may have exacerbated the severity of the crash.
The aviation community and the public await further updates as authorities continue their thorough investigation into this tragic accident.
