Boeing 737-800 crash at Muan Airport kills 179 people

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A Boeing 737-800 crashed at South Korea's Muan International Airport on Sunday, killing 179 people in the country's worst air disaster. Jeju Air flight 7C2216 from Bangkok, Thailand, attempted to land without deploying its landing gear, veered off the runway, hit a wall, and burst into flames. The accident occurred shortly after a bird strike warning was issued at the airport. Authorities suspect a bird strike may have caused the landing gear failure, but investigators are examining all possibilities. Flight data and the cockpit voice recorder have been recovered. The aircraft, built in 2009, was nearly destroyed. The passengers ranged in age from 3 to 78, including two Thais, and were mostly Korean. Two crew members survived, one of whom suffered serious injuries that may have resulted in paralysis. Jeju Air, South Korea's largest low-cost airline, apologized for the tragedy and pledged to provide full support to the family through a $1 billion insurance plan. Boeing also expressed condolences and is assisting with the investigation. The crash was the first fatal accident for Jeju Air since its establishment in 2005, and it was South Korea's most serious aviation accident since the Air China Busan crash in 2002 that killed 129 people. Family members gathered at the airport, devastated. The victim has been identified. Acting President Choi Sang-mok inspected the scene less than 48 hours after taking office and promised a thorough investigation. Experts say the incident raises serious questions because bird strikes themselves do not usually lead to catastrophic consequences. Like this: Like Loading… Discover more from Baller AlertSubscribe to get the latest posts delivered to your email.

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