A devastating incident occurred on the morning of Sunday, December 29, 2024, when Jeju Air Flight 7C-2216, a Boeing 737-800 with 181 people onboard, crashed at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. The flight, which had just completed a four-and-a-half-hour journey from Bangkok, slid off the runway and crashed into a perimeter fence, erupting into a deadly fire.
The 15-year-old aircraft, with 175 passengers and six crew members, was attempting to land when eyewitness video footage revealed that the plane touched down without its landing gear deployed. This malfunction led to a catastrophic collision with the fence, causing an explosion that sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky. Local news reports confirm that at least 28 people have tragically lost their lives, while emergency services have rescued at least one passenger and one crew member from the wreckage.
Flight 7C-2216 had departed from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 2:29 am and arrived at Muan International around 8:30 am local time. The majority of the passengers on board were South Korean nationals, with two Thai nationals confirmed as part of the flight.
The acting president of South Korea, Choi Sang-mok, arrived at the Central Disaster Management Headquarters in Seoul at 9:50 AM, following reports of the crash. He quickly ordered the mobilization of all available equipment and personnel for rescue operations. In a statement, Choi, who also serves as South Korea’s finance minister and deputy prime minister, emphasized the importance of protecting the safety of firefighters and emergency responders involved in the operation.
After issuing his orders, Choi departed for the crash site, located around 300 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The pilot of the ill-fated flight had reportedly attempted a go-around — a standard aviation maneuver — after the initial landing attempt was aborted due to the landing gear issue.
Rescue teams continue to work at the site, and authorities are investigating the potential role of a bird strike in the aircraft’s malfunction. The full extent of the damage and the number of casualties is still being determined. Further updates are expected as emergency operations unfold.
Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, operates a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, primarily focusing on domestic routes within South Korea and international flights to destinations across Asia. Established in 2005, Jeju Air connects major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island, as well as international hubs in Southeast Asia and beyond. The airline’s fleet includes both the Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 models.
This tragedy marks a somber day for the airline and the aviation community, as rescue operations continue and the investigation into the cause of the crash unfolds.
