On December 29, 2024, South Korea and the global aviation community were shaken by a devastating incident involving Jeju Air Flight 2216. The Boeing 737-800, which had 181 individuals onboard, tragically crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Muan International Airport. The flight originated from Bangkok, Thailand, and is reported to have experienced a bird strike that severely affected its landing gear.
During the attempt to land, the aircraft lost control, skidding along the runway before running into a perimeter fence and crashing into a reinforced wall, resulting in a fire. Out of the 181 people onboard, a heartbreaking 179, including 175 passengers, perished in the accident. Only two crew members survived, albeit with critical injuries, and were promptly transported to Seoul for emergency medical treatment.
This incident stands as South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in many years and marks the most catastrophic event involving a Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft. Investigators are now delving into the mechanical issues and situational factors that led to this tragedy, with early findings drawing attention to the significant impact of the bird strike.
As the country grapples with this immense loss, focus shifts to enhancing aviation safety protocols to avert future disasters. Ongoing investigations promise to yield further insights in the days to come.
