The aircraft skidded down the runway on its belly before erupting into flames. The two survivors, both crew members—a man and a woman—were pulled from the tail section, the only part of the plane that remained somewhat intact, according to emergency services. Passengers on board ranged in age from 3 to 78.
This is South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster since 1997, when a Korean Airlines Boeing 747 crashed in the jungles of Guam, killing 228 people.
Key points
Fiery crash: Video footage of the incident shows the Jeju Air flight sliding at high speed on its belly, striking an earthen embankment and bursting into flames. Smoke poured from the back of the plane as it slid, with neither the front nor rear landing gear visible.
Search for a cause
Officials suspect a possible landing gear malfunction. Lee Jeong-hyun, head of the Muan Fire Department, suggested the cause may have been a “bird strike or bad weather.” However, experts caution against speculation, noting that the investigation could take years. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to assist with the inquiry.
Strong safety record
The aircraft involved, a Boeing 737-800, is regarded by aviation analysts as a reliable and safe model. Despite Boeing’s challenges with other planes, such as the 737 Max, the 737-800 boasts a strong safety record. Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, also has a reputation for safety.
Black boxes recovered: Both black boxes, containing flight data and voice recordings, have been recovered, South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport confirmed. These devices will be critical in determining the cause of the crash.
