Investigators are working tirelessly to uncover what caused Jeju Air flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, to crash at Muan airport in South Korea on Sunday, tragically killing 179 of the 181 people on board. As the nation mourns the devastating loss, experts are meticulously combing through the wreckage and flight data to piece together the final moments of the doomed plane.
Possible Causes Under Investigation
While the exact cause remains unclear, several key theories have emerged in the early stages of the probe:
Bird Strikes
Air traffic controllers had issued a bird strike warning to the pilots as the plane approached the runway, raising the possibility that a collision with birds could have damaged the aircraft. However, some experts caution that bird strikes alone are unlikely to bring down a plane of this size.
Bird strikes do happen, but modern aircraft are designed to withstand such impacts. It would be highly unusual for this to be the sole cause of such a catastrophic crash.
– David Learmont, aviation safety analyst
Mechanical Problems
The plane reportedly stopped transmitting data shortly before landing and attempted to touch down without extending its landing gear, sliding along the runway before slamming into an antenna tower and bursting into flames. This raises questions about potential mechanical failures.
The lack of landing gear deployment is a major red flag. Investigators will be looking very closely at the plane’s maintenance records and any technical issues reported by the crew.
– Mary Schiavo, former U.S. Department of Transportation inspector general
Boeing 737-800’s Safety Record
The Boeing 737-800 model involved in the crash is part of the next generation of the ubiquitous 737 series. It is distinct from the newer 737-MAX model that was grounded worldwide after design flaws led to two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
- The 737-800 first entered service in 1997 and is the best-selling variant of its generation
- Over 4,400 of the 737-800 model are currently in operation worldwide, representing around 15% of the global passenger jet fleet
Despite the model’s long operational history and prevalence, any potential safety concerns arising from this crash will be thoroughly examined.
A Nation in Mourning
As investigators work to provide desperately needed answers, South Korea has entered a period of national mourning. With victims ranging in age from 3 to 78 years old, the scale of the tragedy has shocked the nation.
I want to bow my head and apologize to the families of those who lost their lives. Regardless of the cause, as CEO I feel responsible.
– Kim E-bae, CEO of Jeju Air
The acting president, Choi Sang-mok, has ordered an emergency safety review of all airline operations in the country, vowing to uncover what went wrong and prevent future tragedies. Amid a turbulent political period following the recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the government is desperate to show its competence in handling this crisis.
As South Korea grapples with its grief and airlines worldwide watch anxiously for answers, the investigation into flight 7C2216 will be exhaustive in its pursuit of the truth. The 179 lives lost in this tragic crash demand nothing less than a full accounting of what transpired in those fateful final moments.
