South Korean police have raided Muan International Airport, the offices of Jeju Air, and a regional aviation authority as part of an investigation into the deadliest air disaster in the country’s history.
The Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency confirmed the “search and seizure operation” took place on Thursday morning. The raids coincide with ongoing international investigations, including those involving U.S. officials, into the crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216, which occurred on Sunday and claimed the lives of 179 of 181 people onboard.
Black Box Data and U.S. Collaboration
Authorities have retrieved initial data from one of the Boeing 737-800’s two black boxes. However, due to severe damage to the second black box, it will be sent to the United States for further analysis.
In parallel, South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has launched a comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating in the country. This review extends to a broader examination of national airline operations, focusing on safety protocols, maintenance, and pilot training.
Leadership and Public Assurance
Addressing public concerns, South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, emphasized the urgency of the inspections.
“As there’s great public concern about the same aircraft model involved in the accident, the transport ministry and relevant organisations must conduct a thorough inspection of operation maintenance, education, and training,” Choi stated on Thursday. He added that immediate measures would be implemented if any safety issues are identified.
Possible Contributing Factors
Aviation experts have pointed to several potential causes behind the crash, including:
- A bird strike, reported by the pilot shortly before the accident.
- Possible mechanical failure within the aircraft.
- The proximity of a hardened embankment, located less than 300 metres (328 yards) from the end of the runway.
Preliminary reports indicate the Boeing 737-800 belly-landed on the runway without deploying its landing gear. The aircraft subsequently skidded into a concrete embankment and burst into flames, resulting in the catastrophic loss of life.
This tragedy marks the deadliest air accident involving a South Korean airline since 1997, when a Korean Air Boeing 747 crashed into a hillside in Guam, resulting in 228 fatalities.
As investigations progress, the focus remains on uncovering the root cause of the disaster to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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