Surviving Flight Attendant Recounts the Moment Jeju Air Plane Crash Surviving Flight Attendant Recounts the Moment Jeju Air Plane Crash
'A Bird is Stuck on Wing' - Final Text Message of Jeju Air Plane Passenger

Jeju Air Plane Attempted Go-Around Before Tragic Crash - Update

Officials at the crash site revealed that the Jeju Air plane failed to reduce its speed adequately as it neared the end of the runway during an emergency landing. The high-speed approach caused the aircraft to crash into structures beyond the runway, resulting in significant damage to the fuselage and triggering a devastating fire.

Prior to the crash, the Jeju Air flight had reportedly attempted to land once but was forced to execute a "go-around" due to issues with its landing gear failing to deploy. A go-around is a standard aviation procedure where a pilot aborts a landing and circles back for another attempt.

According to Yonhap News, the plane is believed to have struck a bird during its approach, which may have caused critical damage to the landing gear, ultimately leading to the catastrophic sequence of events.

The accident claimed the lives of at least 170 people and left investigators scrambling to identify the root causes behind the incident.

Video: A Bird Strike Moments Before the Crash of Jeju Air Flight

Control tower sent warning of bird strike to the plane before the crash, South Korea's transport ministry says
Jeju Air Crash
Jeju Air Crash

Overview of the Incident: Jeju Air flight

Jeju Air flight 7C2216 was a Boeing 737-800 operating a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan International Airport in South Korea. The aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, approached Muan at approximately 9:07 a.m. local time. Tragically, the aircraft veered off the runway during landing, collided with a perimeter wall, and erupted into a fireball.

Despite swift action by emergency responders, the fire claimed the lives of most onboard, leaving only two survivors. While immediate causes like a landing gear malfunction have been suggested, the crash likely resulted from a confluence of technical, environmental, and human factors.

Jeju Air is a South Korean low-cost carrier that operates an all Boeing fleet, with 42 planes and nearly 3,000 staff.

Muan, a city of roughly 90,000 people, is located in southwest South Korea.

Video: Moment Korean Plane Crashed

Preliminary Evidence and Technical Factors

One of the primary focuses of the investigation is the malfunction of the aircraft’s landing gear. Reports indicate that the flight crew encountered issues deploying the gear as they prepared to land. This malfunction necessitated a belly landing—a high-risk maneuver that increases the likelihood of structural damage and fire.

Landing Gear Malfunction
  • Mechanical Failures: Early examinations suggest a potential hydraulic failure or mechanical blockage in the landing gear deployment system. Such malfunctions are rare but can result from inadequate maintenance, wear and tear, or unforeseen technical defects.
  • Bird Strike Theory: Investigators are exploring the possibility that a bird strike during the flight may have damaged critical components of the landing gear mechanism. Bird strikes are a known hazard in aviation, particularly during takeoff and landing phases.
Following the recovery of the bodies of the remaining victims, rescue personnel will look for the "black box" flight data recorders, according to a briefing from the Transport Ministry. When assembling the events following an incident, the recorders provide aviation safety investigators with vital information.
Aircraft Age and Maintenance Records

The Boeing 737-800 model, while considered reliable, has been involved in past incidents linked to aging components. Maintenance records of the Jeju Air fleet will be scrutinized to determine if any lapses contributed to the malfunction.

What is the Cause of Jeju Air Crash: Bird Strike or Mechanical Failures?
The landing gear may have malfunctioned due to a bird strike

Environmental Influences

Weather conditions and environmental factors often play a significant role in aviation accidents. In this case, the investigation has noted several aspects:

  1. Weather Conditions:

    • Initial reports suggest that weather conditions at the time of the crash were clear, which eliminates poor visibility or turbulence as contributing factors.
    • However, runway conditions, such as potential residual moisture or debris, are being analyzed.

  2. Airport Infrastructure:

    • Muan International Airport’s runway design and maintenance practices are under scrutiny. A narrow runway or insufficient friction during landing could have contributed to the aircraft veering off course.
The Cause of Jeju Airlines Crash (85 Dead): Bird Strike or Mechanical Failures?
The video that was taken at the scene at the time of the crash appears to show that the landing gear was up when the plane touched down, which leads one to believe that there was some kind of malfunction. Additionally, it appears that the plane landed at a high speed.

Human and Operational Factors

While technical failures and environmental conditions are critical, human and operational decisions can significantly influence the outcome of such emergencies.

Pilot Decision-Making

The flight crew’s decision-making process during the emergency will be analyzed extensively:

  • Belly Landing Attempt: A belly landing is a last-resort procedure. Investigators will assess whether the crew had alternative options, such as diverting to a nearby airport with better facilities for handling emergencies.
  • Communication and Coordination: The cockpit voice recorder will provide insights into how the crew managed the situation, including their adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and their communication with air traffic control.
Emergency Response Readiness

Although emergency responders acted quickly, questions remain about the airport’s preparedness for such incidents. Adequate firefighting resources, clear evacuation protocols, and rapid passenger extraction can significantly reduce fatalities in similar scenarios.

What is the Cause of Jeju Airlines Crash: Bird Strike or Mechanical Failures?
At least 85 dead after plane crashes while landing in South Korea

Systemic Issues in Aviation Safety

This incident raises broader concerns about aviation safety in South Korea and the region:

  1. Fleet Modernization: Airlines must ensure that older aircraft in their fleets are retrofitted with updated safety features to mitigate risks associated with aging components.
  2. Bird Strike Mitigation: Enhanced measures, such as advanced radar systems and wildlife management around airports, could reduce the likelihood of bird strikes.
  3. Maintenance Standards: Regular audits of maintenance practices are essential to prevent technical failures.

Steps Forward: Investigative Process

The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash. Key elements include:

Flight Data Analysis: Investigators are analyzing the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) to reconstruct the events leading up to the crash.

Technical Inspections: Detailed inspections of the aircraft’s systems, including the landing gear, engines, and hydraulic mechanisms, are underway.

Interviews and Expert Input: Interviews with air traffic controllers, maintenance personnel, and the two survivors will provide critical perspectives.

International aviation safety organizations, including Boeing and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), are also expected to contribute to the investigation.

Conclusion

The tragic crash of Jeju Air flight 7C2216 underscores the complexity of modern aviation accidents. While initial reports suggest that a landing gear malfunction, possibly exacerbated by a bird strike, played a central role, a thorough investigation will ultimately determine the exact causes. Lessons learned from this tragedy must lead to strengthened safety measures, better emergency preparedness, and heightened vigilance to prevent similar incidents in the future. Until then, the families of the victims, the airline, and the global aviation community await answers with heavy hearts.

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