In the wake of the tragic plane crash in South Korea that claimed 179 lives, the United States has dispatched a team of expert investigators to assist local authorities in determining the cause of the deadly accident. The crashed aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated by budget carrier Jeju Air, met a fiery end at Muan International Airport early Sunday morning.
Elite US Investigation Team Joins Korean Probe
To aid South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) in unraveling the mystery behind this catastrophic event, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading a high-powered delegation of experts from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing, the manufacturer of the ill-fated aircraft.
The NTSB is leading a team of U.S. investigators to assist the Republic of Korea’s ARAIB with their investigation of the Dec. 29 Jeju Air accident.
– NTSB Newsroom on X (formerly Twitter)
The 17-year-old Boeing 737 had been operating Jeju Air Flight 2216 from Bangkok, Thailand to Muan, South Korea when disaster struck. Despite the plane’s multiple redundancy systems, it failed to deploy its landing gear after apparently suffering a bird strike on approach, according to initial reports.
Mayday Call and Fiery Landing
South Korean transport authorities revealed that the aircraft’s pilot had sent out a desperate “mayday” distress call and made an initial attempt to land after receiving a warning from the control tower about birds in the vicinity. On the second landing attempt, the plane touched down on its belly, skidded across the runway, and burst into flames after colliding with a barrier.
It is presumed to have been a bird strike. Smoke came out of one of the engines and then it exploded.
– Surviving Jeju Air crew member’s witness report
Miraculously, two crew members seated in the rear of the aircraft managed to survive the horrific crash and ensuing inferno. They were rescued during the initial search operations, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the overwhelming tragedy that claimed the lives of the remaining 179 souls on board, including passengers and crew.
Global Condolences Pour In
As South Korea grapples with this heart-wrenching aviation disaster, condolences have poured in from around the world. US President Joe Biden expressed his deep sadness over the loss of life in the accident.
Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life that occurred as a result of the Jeju Airlines accident in Muan, Republic of Korea, … The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance.
– US President Joe Biden
As investigators from the US and South Korea join forces to determine the precise cause of this devastating crash, the world mourns alongside the victims’ families and the entire nation of South Korea. The findings from this multinational probe will be crucial in preventing similar tragedies in the future and ensuring the safety of air travel for all.
