Date: December 29th, 2024
Location: Muan International Airport, South Korea
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800, registration HL8088
Operator: Jeju Air
Flight Number: 7C-2216
Route: Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) to Muan, South Korea (MWX)
Occupants: 181 (175 passengers, 6 crew)
Survivors: 2 (both crew members)
Fatalities: 179
Damage: Aircraft destroyed
Incident Summary
On December 29th, Jeju Air flight 7C-2216, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, crashed at Muan International Airport during a gear-up landing. The aircraft slid along the runway on its fuselage, overran the runway, impacted a concrete fence, and erupted into flames. Tragically, 179 people perished, and only two survivors—a male and female flight attendant—were rescued from the tail section.
Initial reports suggest a bird strike caused malfunctions in the landing gear and possibly the engines, prompting the crew to declare a Mayday. The aircraft attempted a second landing in adverse weather conditions, ultimately leading to the crash.
Sequence of Events
1. Initial Approach and Bird Strike:
• The aircraft was on final approach to Muan’s Runway 01 when it reportedly encountered a flock of birds. Witnesses described hearing “pop-sounds” and seeing flames from the right engine, indicating bird ingestion.
2. Emergency Declaration:
• At 08:58L, the crew declared a Mayday due to multiple system malfunctions, including landing gear issues. Tower directed the flight to land on the opposite runway (19).
3. Gear-Down Issue and Landing Attempt:
• Observers noted the landing gear appeared down during the aircraft’s go-around but failed to deploy properly for the final landing. The aircraft attempted a belly landing on Runway 19.
4. Impact and Fire:
• The aircraft skidded along the runway, overran the end by approximately 300 meters (1,000 feet), and collided with a concrete fence, causing a fireball on impact.
Initial Observations
1. Bird Strike Evidence:
• Witnesses and ground observers confirmed the aircraft encountered a flock of birds, with visible engine flames. Bird remains and damage to the engines will likely confirm this as a critical factor.
2. Landing Gear Failure:
• A suspected bird strike on critical hydraulic systems may have caused the landing gear to fail. Witnesses reported seeing the gear down at one point, suggesting an intermittent issue.
3. Adverse Weather:
• Weather conditions, including poor visibility and high winds, compounded the emergency situation.
4. Pilot Actions:
• The crew attempted a belly landing as a last resort, consistent with emergency procedures for a gear-up situation.
Rescue and Casualties
1. Survivors:
• Two flight attendants were rescued from the tail section with injuries. One sustained a fractured shoulder and head injuries but was conscious and able to walk.
2. Fatalities:
• 179 occupants, including the entire cockpit crew, were confirmed deceased.
3. Rescue Operations:
• Emergency services extinguished the fire approximately two hours after the crash and recovered 120 bodies from the wreckage.
Investigation Status
South Korea’s Ministry of Transport has launched an investigation, assisted by Jeju Air, Boeing, and international aviation authorities. Key developments:
• Flight Data Recorder (FDR): Recovered for analysis.
• Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Yet to be recovered.
• Witness Reports: Ground observers noted flames from the engine and potential landing gear deployment during the go-around.
Preliminary Focus Areas
1. Bird Strike Impact:
• Examining the role of bird ingestion in engine failure and hydraulic system malfunctions.
2. Landing Gear Functionality:
• Investigating why the landing gear failed to deploy during the emergency.
3. Crew Decision-Making:
• Analyzing the crew’s response to the emergency, including their decision to attempt a gear-up landing.
4. Runway and Weather Conditions:
• Assessing the role of adverse weather and runway conditions in the outcome.
Safety Recommendations
1. Enhanced Bird Detection:
• Implement improved bird detection and mitigation systems near airports to reduce bird strike risks.
2. Landing Gear Redundancies:
• Review and improve hydraulic system redundancies to prevent gear failure following a bird strike.
3. Emergency Protocol Training:
• Ensure crews are trained extensively for high-stress emergencies, including simultaneous system failures.
Conclusion
The tragic loss of Jeju Air flight 7C-2216 underscores the vulnerability of aircraft to bird strikes and the critical importance of robust emergency procedures. The ongoing investigation will provide vital insights to prevent future occurrences of such devastating accidents.
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Our investigation reports are based on all the evidence and facts we have at the time of writing and posting. We apologise if any details are missed or are not fully accurate.
