A devastating plane crash in South Korea kills over 170, sparking a major investigation into the cause of the tragedy involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800.

In a devastating tragedy on December 29, 2024, more than 170 people were killed when a Jeju Air passenger jet crash-landed at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was traveling from Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew members on board when disaster struck shortly after 9 a.m. local time (7 p.m. ET on Saturday).

The jet skidded along the runway on its belly at high speed, striking an embankment before erupting into flames.

Only two survivors were found, both of whom were crew members. The fire and subsequent wreckage caused panic among onlookers, with many relatives at the airport left distraught and desperate for information.

This tragedy marks the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea since 1997, when a Korean Airlines Boeing 747 crashed in Guam, killing 228 people. Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the crash, but crucial questions remain unanswered about what caused the disaster.

The crash occurred on Sunday morning at Muan International Airport, located on the southwestern tip of South Korea. Surveillance footage of the incident shows the plane sliding uncontrollably across the runway with no visible landing gear deployed.

The aircraft then hit a raised embankment, bursting into flames upon impact.

Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire using water cannons, while the rescue team began searching for survivors among the charred wreckage. Authorities later confirmed the deaths of 179 individuals, with 84 males, 85 females, and 10 unidentified.

The two survivors were both crew members, one male and one female, and were pulled from the wreckage in critical condition.

Among the passengers, two Thai nationals were also confirmed dead, with the rest of the victims being South Korean nationals.

Investigators have been struggling to explain why the aircraft’s landing gear failed to deploy. Preliminary reports suggest that the wheels, which are vital for takeoff and landing, did not fully deploy before the crash landing, but the exact cause remains unclear.

Speculation has arisen that a bird strike could have occurred, possibly leading to the failure of the landing gear, but aviation experts have urged caution.

David Soucie, a former safety inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), warned that premature speculation could hinder the investigation.

“Speculation is the worst enemy of an investigator,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of factual evidence before drawing conclusions.

The aircraft’s maker, Boeing, expressed its condolences following the tragic event and stated that it was in contact with Jeju Air to offer assistance.

Boeing has faced scrutiny in recent years due to high-profile crashes involving its 737 Max models, but the 737-800 model involved in Sunday’s crash has a strong safety record.

Aviation experts have called the 737-800 one of the most reliable aircraft in the world, with a history of successful flights and minimal incidents.

Scott Hamilton, an aviation consultant, also described the incident as “perplexing,” given the excellent flying conditions and the plane’s impeccable maintenance history in South Korea.

The flight had been instructed to change course by the control tower to avoid potential bird activity in the vicinity.

Reports indicate that a minute after receiving this directive, the pilot issued a mayday call before attempting to land.

However, the landing was unsuccessful, and the jet slid off the runway and exploded in flames.

The flight’s black box, containing vital data about the flight’s final moments, has been recovered, and investigators are focusing their attention on the aircraft’s technical performance and any possible mechanical failures that could have led to the crash.

South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, who was recently thrust into leadership following a period of political instability, declared the crash site a special disaster zone and vowed to mobilize all available resources to support the victims’ families and aid in the recovery efforts.

Choi also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and promised a thorough investigation into the causes of the disaster.

The tragic crash occurred only days after Choi assumed office, following the suspension of the country’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, amid political turmoil.

In the aftermath of the crash, emotional scenes unfolded at Muan International Airport as families and loved ones gathered to await news of their relatives. Many were seen breaking down in tears or shouting in anguish as officials read the names of the victims.

One grieving father, Boonchuay Duangmanee, whose daughter was one of the Thai victims, shared his shock and disbelief: “I never thought that this would be the last time we would see each other forever.”

Another father, Jeon Je-Young, who lost his daughter in the crash, described the horror of not hearing from her before the disaster.

“She was almost home,” he said, “so she didn’t feel the need to make a call. I figure in those last moments, the damage had already been done.”

With the investigation underway, authorities are focusing on several aspects of the crash, including the possibility of a mechanical failure, a bird strike, and weather-related factors.

Despite clear skies at the time of the crash, experts remain cautious, stressing that premature judgments could impede the investigation’s progress.

In addition to South Korean authorities, a team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing have joined the investigation, ensuring that a thorough review of all available evidence is conducted.

The crash has prompted a wave of shock and sadness, both in South Korea and internationally. For many, the loss of so many lives so suddenly serves as a tragic reminder of the risks involved in air travel, even with modern technology and safety precautions in place.

As the investigation continues, families are left to mourn, and the world waits for answers regarding what caused this horrifying disaster.

This incident is set to be one of the most significant aviation tragedies in recent years, and with so many lives lost, it is likely to lead to widespread questions about flight safety protocols and the responsibility of airlines and aircraft manufacturers in preventing such catastrophes.