South Korea Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crash: Survivor speaks out amid tragedy

South Korea Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crash: Survivor speaks out amid tragedy! One of the survivors of the catastrophic Jeju Air flight 7C2216 has shared their first words after the fatal crash at Muan International Airport on Sunday, December 29.

The Boeing 737-800, traveling from Bangkok, Thailand, attempted to land at the South Korean airport at 9:03 a.m. local time, about 180 miles south of Seoul. Tragically, only two of the 181 passengers and crew onboard survived.

The Crash and Initial Response

Eyewitness footage showed the plane skidding down the runway without its landing gear deployed before colliding with a concrete wall and bursting into flames. Witnesses reported hearing a “series of explosions” and “metallic scraping.” Emergency personnel, over 1,500 in total, rushed to the scene, recovering the wreckage and searching for victims.

The crash claimed the lives of 179 people, including five children under 10 years old. Two flight crew members, identified as Lee, 32, and Kwon, 25, survived. Found in the tail section—the only recognizable part of the plane—they were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Survivor Testimonies

Lee, who was stationed at the rear of the aircraft, suffered a fractured left shoulder and head injuries but remained conscious. His first words to doctors were, “What happened?” and “Why am I here?” Hospital officials described him as disoriented and in a near-panic state. Kwon, who sustained a fractured ankle and scalp laceration, is also being treated for abdominal and head pain. Neither survivor recalls the moments immediately after the crash.

Possible Causes of the Crash

Air traffic control issued a warning about a possible bird strike minutes before the crash. The plane’s pilot sent a mayday signal at 8:58 a.m., reporting issues shortly after. A timeline of events reveals that by 9:03 a.m., the plane crashed into a concrete wall.

Initial investigations suggest the failure to deploy landing gear may have contributed to the accident. An aviation expert speculated that a bird strike may have damaged the right engine, leading to cockpit confusion and possibly causing the pilots to overlook the landing gear. The exact cause remains under investigation, with attention drawn to Muan International Airport‘s high rate of bird strikes—10 incidents since 2019.

Warnings About Infrastructure

Aviation expert David Learmount criticized the presence of the concrete wall near the runway, describing it as “unbelievably awful” and stating that the crash might not have been fatal if the wall hadn’t been there. “The pilot brought the plane down beautifully given the circumstances,” he said, noting the aircraft remained intact as it skidded along the ground.

Official Statements and Investigations

Jeju Air expressed deep regret over the incident, apologizing to those affected and committing to resolving the situation. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, extended condolences to the victims’ families and offered support to Jeju Air. South Korean and international agencies, including the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, are assisting in the investigation.

Broader Aviation Safety Concerns

The crash has highlighted safety concerns at Muan International Airport, which has South Korea’s highest bird strike rate due to its proximity to fields and coastal areas. Officials are also examining whether systemic safety flaws may have contributed to the tragedy.

The Human Toll

Among the victims were 85 women, 84 men, and five children. Thai authorities confirmed that two Thai nationals were onboard, while most passengers were South Korean. Families of the deceased have begun speaking out, sharing their grief and expressing hope for answers about what went wrong.

Looking Ahead

Investigators are working to piece together the events that led to the crash, focusing on the aircraft’s black boxes and reports of the bird strike. Meanwhile, survivors Lee and Kwon continue to recover, offering glimpses of hope amid a devastating tragedy. As the investigation unfolds, authorities aim to uncover the truth and prevent similar incidents in the future.

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