Flight 7C2216, arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members. The crash occurred shortly after 9 a.m. local time, according to South Korea’s Transport Ministry. Among those on board, only two crew members survived and are currently receiving medical treatment.
The incident marks the worst aviation accident on South Korean soil and the deadliest involving a South Korean airline in nearly 30 years. Video footage from local media shows the Boeing 737-800 skidding down the runway with no visible landing gear before the devastating impact.
Under international aviation protocols, South Korea will lead the investigation into the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States, where the aircraft was designed and manufactured, will collaborate on the inquiry. A team of U.S. investigators, along with representatives from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has been dispatched to assist.
The Boeing 737-800 involved in the accident is a widely used aircraft with a strong safety record. It was manufactured in 2009, well before the introduction of the MAX series, which faced its own safety challenges in recent years.
This is the first fatal incident for Jeju Air, a low-cost carrier founded in 2005. The airline is South Korea’s third-largest by passenger volume, following Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines.
Boeing issued a statement through email saying, “We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand ready to support them. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.”
Authorities are continuing rescue and recovery efforts while working to uncover the cause of the tragedy.
Tags: Korea, Jeju Air, Muan International Airport
