Tragedy struck South Korea’s Muan International Airport on Sunday morning when a Jeju Air flight crashed. The Boeing 737-800, traveling from Bangkok, tried to land after a Mayday call. However, the plane’s landing gear failed to deploy, causing it to skid and crash into a wall at the runway’s end. Flames engulfed the aircraft, leaving only a small portion of the tail visible. Authorities confirmed no survivors, with 175 passengers and four crew members dying.
Jeju Air rejected claims that maintenance negligence caused the crash. The airline maintains it prioritizes safety, conducting thorough maintenance checks. In response to the tragedy, Jeju Air pledged full support for the victims’ families. They also offered financial assistance, backed by a liability insurance coverage of $1 billion.
The cause of the crash remains unclear, but authorities are investigating multiple factors, including a bird strike and weather conditions. The bird strike occurred just before the plane issued a Mayday alert, though the exact damage is still unknown. Despite the landing gear failure, the experienced pilot tried to land safely. Unfortunately, the aircraft couldn’t land as planned, leading to the crash.
Investigators are working to decode the flight data recorder, which may take weeks due to damage. Although the process is slow, the investigation continues to reveal more details about the tragedy. Jeju Air has promised full cooperation with the authorities to support the investigation.
Jeju Air faces scrutiny following the crash, with many demanding answers about the airline’s safety standards. As the investigation progresses, the airline remains committed to supporting the victims’ families and providing assistance during this difficult time.
Related stories:
Catch up on the top stories and travel deals by subscribing to our newsletter!
Leave a Reply