SEOUL – Investigators are examining the cause of the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport, which claimed the lives of over 170 passengers. Police are working to identify the victims, while grieving families pressure authorities for answers regarding one of South Korea’s worst aviation disasters.
Officials are investigating factors such as bird strikes, aircraft control system functionality, and whether the pilot’s urgency to land after issuing a “Mayday” emergency contributed to the accident. Questions have also been raised about concrete barriers at the runway’s end.
The South Korean National Police Agency stated they are expediting DNA analysis to identify the remaining five victims. Families of the deceased have gathered at Muan International Airport, demanding faster identification and detailed updates on the investigation.
The crash involved 175 passengers and 6 crew members on a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800. Only 2 crew members survived after the plane skidded off the runway, caught fire, and collided with a barrier wall.
Inspections of all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in South Korea are expected to conclude by January 3. Muan Airport will remain closed until January 7. The investigation team includes representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, and Boeing. (TNA)
