South Korea Plane Crash: Jeju Air Pilot Cited Bird Strike Before Tragic Incident

In a press briefing on Monday, a South Korean Transport Ministry official revealed that the pilot of Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 reported a bird strike to air traffic control and issued a mayday call moments before the plane crashed on Sunday morning.

The devastating crash at Muan International Airport claimed the lives of 179 people, leaving only two crew members unaccounted for. Acting President Choi Sang-mok declared a national mourning period until January 4 and expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. “The government extends its deepest sympathies and will prioritize recovery efforts and measures to prevent such incidents in the future,” Choi stated in a post on X. The crash site has been designated as a special disaster zone.

What Happened?

The Jeju Air flight, carrying 181 passengers and six crew members on a route from Bangkok to Muan International Airport, veered off the runway and erupted into flames after colliding with an airport wall during its landing at around 9 a.m. local time. Videos from local news outlets show the twin-engine Boeing 737-800 skidding across the runway without visible landing gear before the fiery explosion.

Who Were on Board?

The passengers included 175 South Koreans and two Thai nationals. Jeju Air, which operated the Boeing 737-800, is working with authorities to gather details about the incident and assess casualties. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has instructed emergency services to carry out extensive rescue operations.

The tragic accident has prompted widespread grief and demands for a thorough investigation to uncover the cause and ensure flight safety measures are reinforced.