A tragic plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport on December 29, 2024, has plunged the nation into grief and raised urgent questions about aviation safety. The crash, which claimed 179 lives, is the country’s deadliest air disaster in decades and comes at a time of political instability.
The ill-fated Boeing 737-800, operated by budget airline Jeju Air, encountered multiple complications during landing. After aborting its first attempt, the plane received a bird strike warning and issued a distress signal during its second approach. Tragically, the landing gear failed to deploy, and the aircraft overshot the runway, crashing into a concrete barrier and bursting into flames.
Former Delta Air Lines chief pilot Alan Price noted that the Boeing 737-800 is a reliable aircraft model, distinct from the Boeing 737 Max implicated in earlier fatal crashes. However, video evidence pointed to potential hydraulic issues, as the pilots did not deploy the flaps or manually lower the landing gear. John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems, observed that while the aircraft remained under control, the proximity of the concrete barrier worsened the outcome.
South Korea’s Transport Ministry announced a comprehensive safety review of all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in operation, focusing on Jeju Air’s 39 planes. Representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing are set to assist with the investigation.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok emphasized the need for systemic reforms, stating, “The essence of a responsible response would be renovating the aviation safety systems on the whole to prevent recurrences of similar incidents and building a safer Republic of South Korea.”
Officials are also examining the materials used in Muan Airport’s localizer barrier, which may have contributed to the severity of the crash. Similar structures exist in other domestic and international airports, raising broader safety concerns.
The crash occurred amid a leadership vacuum following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. This absence of top officials has led to doubts about the government’s ability to manage the crisis effectively. A seven-day national mourning period was declared, but public frustration persists.
The JoongAng Ilbo, a major newspaper, expressed skepticism: “We are deeply worried whether the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters really can handle the disaster.”
This tragedy is the latest in a series of national crises, including the 2022 Halloween crowd crush and the 2014 ferry disaster. Critics have drawn parallels between these events, pointing to potential regulatory and safety oversight issues.
Adding to the distress, another Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 experienced a landing gear issue shortly after the crash. Although it landed safely, the incident has intensified scrutiny of the airline’s operations.
Authorities have identified 146 victims, with DNA and fingerprint analysis underway for the remaining 33. Bereaved families, represented by Park Han Shin, urged the government to expedite the return of remains, expressing anguish over the condition of the bodies.
