South Korea Investigates Deadly Muan Airport Plane Crash
South Korean authorities have launched an extensive investigation into the country’s deadliest air disaster, which claimed 179 lives when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed at Muan airport on Sunday. The aircraft, carrying 181 people on a flight from Thailand to South Korea, issued a mayday call and belly-landed before hitting a concrete barrier at the end of the runway, bursting into flames.
Focus on Concrete Barrier
The role of the concrete barrier at the runway’s end is under scrutiny, with experts questioning whether its design exacerbated the damage. Dramatic video footage of the crash showed the plane engulfed in flames after colliding with the structure.
Kim Hong-rak, South Korea’s Director-General for Airport Policy, stated that regulations governing the use of such barriers would be reviewed. Deputy Minister for Civil Aviation Joo Jong-wan emphasized the need to examine all potential factors. “The Accident Investigation Committee plans to investigate thoroughly whether this structure exacerbated the damage,” he said.
Black Box Analysis Underway
Authorities retrieved the plane’s two black boxes and began analysis to uncover details about the crash. According to Deputy Minister Joo, surface cleaning of the devices has been completed, but one black box was found with a missing connector, complicating data extraction.
Potential Causes
Initial suggestions pointed to a bird strike, but investigators are exploring multiple scenarios. Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae stated there were no unusual maintenance issues with the aircraft, though the functionality of its landing gear remains under investigation.
National Mourning
South Korea has declared seven days of mourning, with flags at half-mast and New Year celebrations cancelled. Memorial altars have been set up nationwide, including in Seoul and at Muan airport.
Relatives of the victims have camped at the airport, demanding faster identification of passengers. Transport Minister Park Sang-woo announced that the bodies of four victims had been handed over to families, while autopsies and identification processes continue for others.
Devastating Losses
The crash has left families devastated, with stories of profound loss emerging. One family lost nine members, including a grandfather celebrating his birthday on his first overseas trip. Local reports described the surviving son-in-law as inconsolable, saying, “I should have gone with them and died with them.”
Acting President Calls for Reform
Acting President Choi Sang-mok described the crash as a “turning point” for South Korea’s aviation safety. He called for an overhaul of air safety systems, urging officials to address deficiencies in aircraft operations and airport infrastructure.
A Nation in Grief
As soldiers combed the fields near the airport and mourners left offerings at the crash site, the country grappled with the immense tragedy. A fuller account of the crash is expected once black box data analysis is complete, providing answers to the questions haunting a nation in mourning.
