In the aftermath of Sunday’s devastating plane crash in South Korea that claimed the lives of 179 of the 181 people on board, aviation analysts and investigators are diligently examining multiple factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.
The ill-fated Jeju Air flight 7C2216, en route from Bangkok to Muan International Airport, attempted to land shortly after 9 a.m. As the aircraft made its scheduled approach, the pilots reported a bird strike to air traffic control. Shortly thereafter, they issued a Mayday signal, indicating an emergency situation and their intention to abort the landing and attempt a go-around.
Despite their efforts, the aircraft made a belly landing approximately 1,200 meters along the 2,800-meter runway. The plane skidded off the runway and collided with an embankment at the end of the landing strip, erupting into a catastrophic fireball upon impact. Of the 175 passengers and six crew members on board, only two crew members survived, pulled from the wreckage by emergency responders.
Investigators are considering several potential causes for the crash, including the reported bird strike, which may have damaged critical systems; a possible landing gear malfunction that prevented proper deployment; the presence of a concrete structure near the runway that could have impeded the aircraft’s path; and pilot error during the emergency procedures.
“We are conducting a thorough investigation into all possible factors,” said Lee Sung-min, a spokesperson for South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board. “Our goal is to piece together the events that led to this tragic accident and to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
The disaster has sent shockwaves through the global aviation community and raised concerns about flight safety protocols. Jeju Air has expressed its profound condolences to the families of the victims and is cooperating fully with investigators.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest air accidents in South Korea’s history. As the nation mourns, attention is turning to how such an incident could occur and what measures can be implemented to enhance aviation safety.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
