Fatal Accident (179) – Boeing 737-8ASWL, HL8088, Muan International Airport (MWX/RKJB), South Korea, December 29, 2024
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
SOURCE Report:
At Least 179 Fatalities (out of 181 onboard) Reported in South Korea Following Aircraft Crash at Muan International Airport
A catastrophic aviation incident occurred when a Jeju Air flight arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed during its landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea.
According to the National Fire Agency, the accident resulted in at least 120 fatalities after the aircraft veered off the runway, ignited, and was subsequently engulfed in flames. Emergency response teams reported that the incident took place at approximately 9:03 AM local time (00:03 GMT) on Sunday. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was transporting 175 passengers and six crew members, originating from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
Rescue operations recovered two survivors, both identified as crew members. The fire, which extensively damaged the fuselage, has been extinguished, though authorities have indicated diminishing prospects for locating additional survivors.
Preliminary reports suggest a possible landing gear malfunction, with media footage depicting the aircraft making a gear-up landing before skidding along the runway, leading to multiple explosions and an intense post-crash fire. Eyewitnesses corroborated accounts of a series of explosions following the impact.
The 15-year-old Boeing 737-800, operated by Jeju Air, was carrying predominantly South Korean nationals, along with two confirmed Thai passengers. Aviation authorities are currently investigating potential causes, including unconfirmed reports of a bird strike, which may have compromised the aircraft’s landing systems.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok has directed emergency services to employ all available resources for rescue and recovery efforts. In an official statement, he emphasized the necessity of prioritizing human lives and called for a coordinated response from relevant agencies.
Jeju Air, established in 2005 and recognized as one of South Korea’s largest low-cost carriers, issued an official apology and committed to full cooperation with authorities during the investigation. This incident marks the airline’s first fatal crash, although it experienced a non-fatal runway excursion involving a Bombardier Q400 in 2007 due to adverse weather conditions at Busan-Gimhae Airport.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended condolences to the victims’ families and instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify the status of Thai nationals onboard while providing necessary assistance.
Local media released images showing plumes of black smoke rising from the wreckage and emergency crews actively responding near the burning fuselage. Reports from South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency suggest the crash may have been caused by bird ingestion into the engines, leading to landing gear failure. A passenger reportedly sent a final text message describing a bird lodged in the wing prior to the crash.
Investigators from South Korea’s Transport Ministry and aviation authorities are conducting a comprehensive inquiry to determine the precise cause of the accident and assess contributing factors, including mechanical failure and environmental conditions.
(Al Jazeera, 2024)
Blancolirio:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_ith5t_TK8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzmptA6s-1g
The Aviatioist Report:
n/a
The WarZone:
n/a
Aircraft Operator:
AJeju Air
Video(s):
https://youtu.be/rGoPKHkHNBo
Accident Location:
Muan International Airport (MWX/RKJB), South Korea
34°58’35.24″N 126°22’58.37″E (https://g.co/kgs/uhMKDzw)
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/468716
FAA/International Registration:
HL8088
Year of Manufacture:
2009
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
37541/301
NTSB:
n/a
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AuAXxf2JD/
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
https://x.com/RT_com/status/1873175445795160552
https://x.com/FATIIIAviation/status/1873240682032513268
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/HL8088/history/20241228/1840Z/VTBS/RKJB
flightradar24:
n/a
AirNav.radar:
https://www.airnavradar.com/data/registration/4K-AZ65
National Report(s):
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/29/dozens-killed-in-south-koreas-muan-as-plane-veers-off-runway-and-crashes
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/28/asia/south-korea-plane-crash-intl-hnk/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/dec/29/south-korea-plane-crash-casualties-reported-after-jeju-air-flight-veers-off-runway-at-muan-airport-live-updates
https://abcnews.go.com/International/2-rescued-28-killed-after-jet-veers-off/story?id=117171549
Local Report(s):
n/a
Image Reference(s):
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11457656
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11525696
https://x.com/Inahohara313/status/1873186761662476463
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