South Korea Investigates Jeju Air Crash That Claimed 179 Lives
South Korea's Minister of Transport, Park Sang-woo, announced plans to resign following the tragic crash of Jeju Air flight 2216, which claimed 179 lives. Investigations reveal safety lapses at Muan Airport and the presence of bird strikes, raising questions about protocol failures and operational decisions
South Korea's Minister of Transport, Park Sang-woo, announced his intention to resign on Tuesday, taking responsibility for the tragic accident involving a Boeing aircraft operated by Jeju Air on December 29. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 179 people.
Jeju Air flight 2216 departed from Bangkok (Thailand) bound for Muan (southwestern South Korea). The aircraft performed a belly landing, veered off the runway at the regional airport, and exploded upon crashing into a hill near its end.
“I bear great responsibility for this disaster,” said Park Sang-woo during a press conference. The minister stated that he will seek the appropriate time to formalize his resignation after taking measures to stabilize the current situation, Reuters reported, according to a publication by associated media outlet Aeroin.
Focusing on safety improvements
The Ministry of Transport announced plans to accelerate efforts to improve airport safety systems, including landing assistance mechanisms, identified as one of the factors contributing to the accident.
Experts highlighted that the slope supporting the instrument landing system antenna was excessively close to the runway's end and overly rigid for emergency situations.
Joo Jong-wan, Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation, acknowledged shortcomings in the safety criteria used during the construction of the embankment but emphasized that the works complied with existing regulations both in South Korea and internationally. Investigations are underway to identify possible irregularities.
Ongoing investigations
South Korean police have launched a broad investigation into the accident. Last week, officers raided Jeju Air's headquarters and facilities at Muan International Airport.
During the analysis of the wreckage, feathers were found in one of the engines, confirming the aircraft experienced a bird strike shortly before the crash. Captured images confirm the presence of bird feathers and show the affected engine was struck during the final moments.
However, aviation safety experts emphasized that bird strikes rarely cause landing gear failure, raising questions about why the pilot did not deploy it during landing. Additionally, uncertainty surrounds the decision to attempt a second landing after declaring an emergency to the control tower.
South Korean investigators traveled to the United States to retrieve and analyze data from the flight data recorder (FDR), which was damaged in the crash. The equipment is being examined in collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Data extraction is expected to take three days, with an additional two days required for preliminary analysis.
The cockpit voice recorder (CVR), now recovered, provides a complete log of crew communications during the final critical moments. Authorities are evaluating whether to release the content publicly.
The accident exposed weaknesses in airport safety systems and operational protocols, putting pressure on the government and aviation authorities. As investigations continue, families of the victims and the international community are awaiting definitive answers about the causes of the tragedy and the measures to prevent future disasters.
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