UPDATE: All people on board except two presumed killed in Jeju Air flight 7C2216.
The pilot of Jeju Air Flight 2216, arriving from Bangkok, reportedly attempted a belly landing after the aircraft’s landing gear failed to deploy properly, according to Yonhap. Here’s a video:
Officials at the scene stated that during the emergency landing attempt, the plane was unable to sufficiently reduce its speed as it neared the end of the runway. This led the aircraft to collide with airport structures, causing significant damage to the fuselage and sparking a fire.
Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 Details
The accident occurred at approximately 9:07 a.m. as Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 attempted to land after a return flight from Bangkok, Thailand. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-8AS with registration HL8088, was carrying 175 passengers and 6 flight attendants on board. The typical flight duration for this route, Bangkok (BKK) to Muan (MWX), is around 4 hours and 30 minutes, highlighting the routine nature of the journey prior to the crash.
Photos shared by local media depicted plumes of smoke billowing from the wreckage, suggesting extensive damage to the fuselage. Amidst the destruction, one person was found alive, offering a glimmer of hope as rescue operations continued. However, further information about the number of fatalities and survivors has not yet been released.
The crash has prompted an immediate and large-scale rescue mission at Muan International Airport, which is located in southern South Korea. The airport has temporarily ceased operations as authorities work to uncover the cause of the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
