Moments of the Jeju Air Plane Accident, Landing Without Wheels Until It Caught Fire Severely

Kapanlagi.com - On the morning of Sunday, December 29, 2024 local time, the aviation world in South Korea was shocked by a horrific tragedy. The Jeju Air plane that had just taken off from Bangkok suffered a fatal accident while landing at Muan International Airport, about 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul.

The incident claimed the lives of at least 179 people out of a total of 181 passengers, while only two people were reported to have survived. This accident is recorded as one of the deadliest in South Korean aviation history in recent years.

Before the incident, several eyewitnesses around the airport reported anomalies with the flight number 7C2216. In a tense moment, the plane landed without wheels, sliding quickly until it emitted flames and plumes of smoke before finally crashing into a fence and exploding.

Immediately after the incident, an intensive investigation began to uncover the exact cause of this accident. South Korean authorities, including the police and firefighting teams, immediately focused on rescue efforts for the victims and identifying the factors that led to the suspected engine failure and landing gear issues that are believed to be the main causes of this tragic incident.

Here is the chronology of the events and details of this horrific Jeju Air plane incident, summarized by Kapanlagi.com on Monday (30/12).

1. Jeju Air Plane Accident in Muan: Landed Without Wheels

A dark morning at Muan International Airport, at 9:07, became a silent witness to a tragedy when a Jeju Air plane traveling from Bangkok experienced a dramatic landing failure. Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft showed signs of technical problems before skidding off the runway, accompanied by a thunderous explosion and fiery sparks from its engines.

In footage uploaded by theguardian.com, the plane is seen continuing to move despite its landing gear being non-functional, with fire and smoke billowing from underneath. In an instant, the aircraft crashed into a fence and struck the walls surrounding the airport, creating an explosion that shook the location.

Preliminary investigations pointed to landing gear issues as the main cause, with suspicions of a bird strike or mechanical failure. Fire and ambulance teams were quickly deployed, attempting to rescue the passengers trapped in this heartbreaking incident.

2. Eyewitness Hears Explosion

In a chilling moment, several eyewitnesses described the seconds leading up to the shocking plane crash. Yoo Jae-yong, who happened to be near the airport, recounted how he saw sparks from the plane's engine before the explosion shook the atmosphere.

"I was telling my family that there was a problem with the plane when suddenly a terrifying explosion sound was heard," he said.

Another witness, known only by the last name Cho, also reported seeing the plane descending towards the runway, accompanied by thick black smoke rising high after the explosion.

Meanwhile, Kim Yong-cheol, a 70-year-old man, will never forget the horrifying sound of metal scraping before the tragedy occurred.

"I saw the plane trying to turn to land again before that deafening explosion happened," he recalled.

3. Majority Victims of South Korean Citizens

In the midst of the raging fire consuming the aircraft, the firefighting team displayed extraordinary bravery during the rescue process. They managed to control the raging flames and found three survivors—two passengers and one crew member—who were trapped in the intact tail section of the plane.

Immediately, they were rushed to the nearest hospital for medical treatment. Of the 181 passengers, most of whom were South Korean citizens and two from Thailand, authorities reported that rescue efforts were still ongoing to search for other victims trapped in the wreckage.

Although the situation was very concerning, the quick response of the rescue team provided hope amidst the sorrow, with Jeolla Fire Department officials stating, "Of the 181 passengers, most are presumed dead, except for the two who were successfully rescued."

4. Reactions of the South Korean Government: Focus on the Victims

Acting President of South Korea, Choi Sung-mok, immediately took action after hearing the sad news about the plane crash, ordering a comprehensive rescue effort.

In his statement, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to saving the lives of the victims trapped among the debris. Not only that, Choi also held an emergency meeting to monitor and coordinate rescue efforts at the scene.

This accident triggered a series of urgent meetings with relevant officials, including representatives from aviation authorities and airport officials, as well as authorities in Seoul. As soon as the fire was extinguished, the investigation process began immediately, with the main focus on the technical issues that disrupted the flight of Jeju Air.

5. What caused the Jeju Air plane crash in Muan?

It is suspected that issues with the landing gear or technical failures were the main causes disrupting the smooth operation.

6. How many victims were there in this accident?

In a horrific tragedy, at least 122 lives were lost, while hope still shines for two passengers and one crew member who were found alive.

7. What steps has the South Korean government taken in response to this accident?

The South Korean government immediately took decisive action by holding an emergency meeting to monitor and coordinate rescue efforts thoroughly following the distressing accident.

8. How were the rescue efforts carried out?

With agility and full dedication, the firefighting and rescue team acted quickly, fighting against the raging fire while trying to save the victims trapped in the grip of the red giant.

(kpl/rmt)