Date: December 29, 2024 Location: Muan
International Airport (MWX), South Korea
On Sunday, December 29, 2024, Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216, a Boeing 737-8AS (WL)
registered HL8088, tragically crashed at Muan International Airport, resulting
in 179 fatalities out of 181 occupants onboard. This incident marks the worst
aviation accident in South Korea’s history and the most severe loss of a
Boeing 737-800 aircraft to date.
Incident Overview
Flight 7C 2216 was a chartered passenger flight departing from
Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) at 19:28 UTC, destined for
MWX. The flight proceeded uneventfully until its final approach to runway 19
at Muan. At 08:57 LT (23:57 UTC), the Muan Tower controller issued a bird
activity warning. Moments later, the flight crew declared an emergency,
reporting a bird strike and announcing their intention to go around.
The aircraft executed a 180-degree turn and attempted a landing in the
opposite direction on runway 19. However, the aircraft made a gear-up landing
approximately two-thirds down the runway, far beyond the optimal touchdown
zone. The aircraft continued past the runway’s end, colliding with the ILS
localizer antenna array installed atop a two-meter-high concrete platform. The
aircraft disintegrated on impact and burst into flames, with only the tail
section remaining relatively intact. Remarkably, two flight attendants seated
in the tail section survived.
Key Contributing Factors
1. Bird Strike and Emergency Response
The reported bird strike likely caused significant damage to the aircraft,
impairing its systems and decision-making. A bird strike during approach is a
critical event, particularly if it affects the engines, control surfaces, or
avionics. While the crew’s decision to declare an emergency and return for a
landing was prudent, the subsequent actions raise questions about procedural
adherence and situational judgment.
2. Runway Selection and Direction
The decision to conduct a 180-degree turn and land on runway 19—the opposite
direction of the initial approach—likely contributed to the high approach
speed. Aircraft landing in the reverse direction typically face challenges
such as reduced stopping distances and increased landing speeds due to
tailwinds. While runway 19 at MWX has a standard Landing Distance Available
(LDA) of 2800 meters, this was temporarily reduced to 2500 meters due to
construction. This reduction significantly limited the margin for error.
3. Gear-Up Landing
The gear-up landing suggests that the crew either failed to deploy the landing
gear or that the gear deployment mechanism was inoperable. A gear-up landing
increases landing distance and reduces braking effectiveness, both of which
were critical factors given the already limited runway length.
4. Overrun and Impact
The aircraft’s inability to stop within the available runway distance resulted
in an overrun and collision with the ILS localizer antenna. The antenna’s
placement on a concrete mound amplified the impact forces, contributing to the
catastrophic disintegration of the airframe.
Meteorological Conditions
The METAR for MWX at the time reported light winds from 110° at 2 knots,
visibility of 9000 meters, and a temperature of 2°C. These conditions were not
adverse and are unlikely to have played a direct role in the crash.
Potential Causes
Based on preliminary information, the following factors may have contributed
to the accident:
-
Operational Decisions: The decision to attempt a landing in the
opposite direction may have increased the aircraft’s speed, reduced the
available stopping distance, and complicated the approach geometry.
-
Crew Coordination and Procedures: The crew’s failure to lower the
landing gear or verify its status indicates a possible lapse in standard
operating procedures.
-
Runway Constraints: The temporary reduction in LDA due to
construction reduced the runway’s capacity to accommodate the high-speed
landing.
-
Infrastructure Design: The location and design of the ILS
localizer antenna array may have exacerbated the severity of the
crash.
-
Bird Strike Damage: The bird strike likely caused critical damage
to the aircraft, impairing its systems and compounding the challenges
faced by the crew.
The Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216 crash serves as a stark reminder of the
complexities and risks inherent in aviation operations. While the exact
sequence of events and causes will only be confirmed following a
comprehensive investigation, the preliminary analysis highlights the
interplay of operational decisions, environmental factors, and
infrastructure design in shaping the outcome of this tragic incident.
Lessons learned from this accident must inform future safety enhancements to
prevent similar occurrences.
Social Media
Confidence Rating
The information provided is based on news reports and social media sources,
which may not always be fully verified. This analysis is a self-effort and
does not reflect official statements or conclusions. As such, the confidence
rating for this data is considered unofficial and subject to further
investigation.
Keep Updated
Stay connected for real-time updates and exclusive content. Follow us on
X.com and LinkedIn to get the latest accident
news and industry insights. Join the conversation and stay informed with
AirSpaceNews.com
Comments
Post a Comment