Key Takeaways:
– Tragic crash of a Boeing 737-800 passenger jet in South Korea leaves only two survivors out of 181 onboard.
– The crash, attributed to landing gear malfunction and potential bird strike, is the country’s worst aviation disaster in decades.
– An urgent review of local 737-800 aircraft is underway, focusing on a combination of system malfunction and human error as possible causes.
– The country’s Transport Ministry announces that it will take months to complete the investigation.
In-Depth Examination of South Korean Plane Crash
South Korean flights took a chilling turn over the weekend as a Boeing 737-800 jet, operated by Jeju Air, crashed into flames attempting to land. This calamity, the worst aviation disaster the country has faced in decades, left only two survivors from the 181 people onboard. As emergency investigations into the catastrophe’s cause are underway, more questions than answers loom in the wake of this tragedy.
Close Look at Jeju Air Incident
The doomed Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 began its journey in Bangkok, Thailand, planning a scheduled landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea. Following a failed landing attempt and an alarming bird strike warning from the ground control center, the flight ascended for a second attempt. However, disaster struck following a distress signal from the crew and an attempt to land on a different runway.
Without deploying its nose landing gear, the jet skidded at high speed, ran off the runway, and hit a concrete fence. The horrific impact caused the aircraft to burst into flames; the tail section, where the two survivors were found, was the only part spared from the fiery collision.
Prominent theories suggest the mishap may have resulted from suspected engine problems, but a malfunctioning landing gear appears to be the primary cause. South Korean Transport Ministry officials have stated that the aircraft’s black boxes have been transferred to Seoul’s Gimpo International Airport for a thorough analysis.
According to Jeju Air, the crash was not linked to any maintenance issues. Both the carrier and the plane had otherwise maintained an excellent safety record in the past.
Assessing Airport Safety Measures
Officials are also investigating whether the concrete fence, housing antennas for guiding aircraft during landings, was a potential hazard due to its rigid composition. Discussions are ongoing whether it should be replaced with lighter, more impact-absorbent materials.
Flight safety experts note that such structures are typically absent from runways, giving way to engineered material arresting systems that can slow an aircraft by allowing it to sink a bit into the ground.
Possible Impact of Bird Strike
A local fire department chief suggested that bad weather and a bird strike might have contributed to the crash, a claim supported by a passenger’s pre-crash text message to a relative indicating a bird stuck in one wing. However, aviation experts argue bird strikes seldom cause such extensive damage alone.
Persistent Questions about Landing Gear Deployment
It is currently unknown what engine or system failures may have confronted the flight crew during the fatal descent. However, with no apparent flap movements seen in footage of the crash, speculations suggest a loss of hydraulic pressure that governs these devices might have occurred.
The jet, which can manually override the landing gear in emergencies, leaves questions if the crew had sufficient time or if other factors obstructed this action.
Boeing on the Hot Seat Once More
This crash culminates in a disturbing year for US aviation giant Boeing, struggling with safety problems, a labor strike, and plummeting stock prices. Although the company’s 737-800 model had a more reliable reputation than the infamous 737 Max jetliners, which were involved in fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, this crash is sure to spark fresh concerns.
Reflecting their commitment to safety, South Korean authorities envisage carrying out inspections on all domestic 737-800s, including 39 operated by Jeju Air. An invigorating and comprehensive investigation awaits as the nation grapples to understand this devastating aviation disaster.