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South Korea’s acting president has announced a nationwide safety inspection of all airline operations following a tragic crash at Muan International Airport that killed 179 lives and left two survivors.
Some shit you should know before you read: Last week, a plane crash involving a Boeing 737-800 operated by South Korea’s Jeju Air resulted in the deaths of 179 people, with two survivors, both crew members. The aircraft, carrying 181 individuals, was arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, when it attempted to land at Muan International Airport. Shortly before the crash, the control tower issued a warning about bird activity in the area, and the pilots subsequently issued a “mayday” call, reporting a bird strike. Witness accounts and preliminary findings indicate that smoke was seen coming from one of the engines before it exploded, leading to the plane landing on its belly and catching fire. Investigations are still ongoing.
What’s going on now: South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, has ordered a nationwide safety inspection of all airline operations in response to the recent Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport. The inspection will involve a review of aviation safety protocols, maintenance practices, and emergency preparedness across all airlines operating in the country. Choi emphasized the importance of addressing any systemic risks within the aviation sector to prevent similar incidents in the future. Additionally, he pledged full government support for the investigation, with agencies working closely to uncover the root cause of the crash.
In addition, the government said resources are being allocated to assist the victims’ families, including financial and logistical support. However, some victims’ families have criticized the government’s response, expressing frustration over communication delays.
This all comes as the United States has joined the investigation into the crash, with experts from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Boeing assisting South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) in determining the cause. Meanwhile, criticism has emerged regarding the presence of a concrete barrier near the runway at Muan International Airport, which some argue worsened the crash’s impact.
