Pilot declared mayday’: What led to the Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea? Jeju Air Plane Crash: A Devastating Tragedy Unfolds
Dramatic Crash Footage Captures the Final Moments
Heart-wrenching footage shows a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 skidding along the runway, trailing thick smoke before crashing into a wall and erupting into flames. The flight, carrying 181 passengers and crew members from Bangkok to South Korea, met a catastrophic end during its landing attempt at Muan Airport on Sunday. Tragically, 179 lives were lost, with only two survivors pulled from the wreckage.
Pilot declared mayday’: What led to the Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea?
Bird Strike Warning and the Final Mayday Call
The control tower had warned the Jeju Air crew about a potential bird strike during their initial landing attempt. Moments later, the pilot issued a distress “mayday” call and made a second landing attempt. Video evidence shows the aircraft attempting a belly landing with its landing gear still retracted, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The Human Toll of the Crash
Among the 181 people on board, 175 passengers and four crew members tragically lost their lives. The passengers, ranging from ages three to 78, were predominantly Korean nationals, with two individuals from Thailand. Two flight attendants, aged 25 and 33, miraculously survived and were rescued from the wreckage by emergency responders.
Investigating the Cause: Was It a Bird Strike?
Officials have launched an investigation focusing on a bird strike and adverse weather conditions as potential causes. Aviation expert Philip Butterworth-Hayes emphasized that such catastrophic events are extremely rare, given the robust safety systems in modern aircraft.
“It really has to be a series of catastrophic events that led to such a high loss of life,” he said.
Authorities have recovered both black boxes — the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder — which are expected to provide crucial insights into the moments leading up to the crash.
Understanding Bird Strikes: A Rare but Deadly Threat
Bird strikes occur when a bird collides with an aircraft, posing a significant risk, especially if birds are sucked into jet engines. While rare, these incidents can cause engine failure and compromise flight safety. Aviation history recalls the “Miracle on the Hudson” in 2009, where a US Airways flight successfully ditched into the Hudson River after both engines failed due to a bird strike.
Government’s Immediate Response
The tragedy occurred amidst South Korea’s political turmoil, with Acting President Choi Sang-mok stepping in after the recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Acting President Choi convened an emergency cabinet meeting and visited the crash site, declaring Muan Airport a special disaster zone.
A Nation in Mourning
Hundreds of rescue workers, firefighters, and military personnel were deployed to manage the aftermath. Meanwhile, distraught family members gathered at the airport, desperately seeking updates on their loved ones.
This devastating incident serves as a sobering reminder of the critical importance of aviation safety measures and thorough investigations to prevent future tragedies.