Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216: What We Know About the Crash
Lara González-Santiago
Staff Writer
On December 29, 2024, Jeju Air flight 7C 2216, flying from Bangkok to South Korea’s Muan International Airport, ended in a catastrophic crash landing, leaving all but two of the 181 passengers dead. This tragedy marks one of the deadliest aviation incidents in South Korea’s history.
The crash left families devastated as they gathered at the airport to hear the names of the victims, ranging from ages three to 78. Emotional scenes unfolded as loved ones demanded answers from officials, with some alleging that Jeju Air prioritized managing media fallout over offering immediate support to grieving families. Investigations are ongoing, with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport identifying 146 victims, according to People.
The crash occurred shortly after 9 a.m. local time as the Boeing 737-800 attempted an emergency landing. Video footage from CNN showed the plane skidding on its belly, striking an embankment, and erupting into flames. Rescue teams battled the blazing wreckage while pieces of the aircraft were scattered across the runway. The two individuals who survived were found in the relatively intact tail section of the aircraft. One survivor sustained fractures to his ribs, shoulder blades, and upper spine. Dr. Ju Woong, from Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, stated that the survivor recalled regaining consciousness during the rescue operation, as stated by The Associated Press.
Park Han Shin, a spokesperson for the grieving families, expressed frustration over the delayed identification and return of victim’s bodies, urging the government to expedite the process by deploying additional resources. The crash left a profound impact on the local community, particularly at Jeju Air, where five employees who had been on board were confirmed among the casualties. Their absence has left colleagues mourning, with empty desks serving as a poignant reminder of the tragedy, according to Reuters.
BBC reported that authorities confirmed the pilots reported a bird strike moments before attempting the landing, declaring “mayday” and seeking to redirect the flight. However, aviation experts have expressed skepticism that a bird strike alone could cause a catastrophic failure. The global aviation community has also taken notice of the tragedy, with experts calling for renewed discussions on emergency landing protocols and the design of safety zones and runways. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has yet to release a statement but is expected to send representatives to South Korea to assist in the investigation.
Several international airplanes have also temporarily grounded their fleets of Boeing 737-800s as a precautionary measure, pending further details from the investigation. While the model has an established reputation for safety, this incident adds to a growing list of recent concerns surrounding aviation infrastructure and procedural standards.
“The essence of a responsible response would be renovating the aviation system on the whole to prevent recurrences of similar incidents and building a safer Republic of Korea,” said the country’s new acting president, Choi Sang-mok, according to NBC News. As the investigation processes, the public’s focus remains on ensuring that lessons are learned, and future tragedies are averted.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
