Mon Dec 30 13:32:27 UTC 2024: ## South Korea Launches Investigation After Deadly Boeing 737 Crash
**Seoul, South Korea** – A Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air crashed on Sunday, December 29th, killing 179 people in South Korea’s worst aviation disaster in decades. The plane, carrying 192 passengers and crew, aborted its first landing attempt at Muan International Airport before crashing during a second attempt, bursting into flames upon impact. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but initial reports suggest a possible bird strike warning, landing gear malfunction, and potential hydraulic failure.
The South Korean government, grappling with a political crisis following the impeachment of both the President and Prime Minister, has launched a comprehensive investigation. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered an emergency review of the nation’s aviation safety systems and instructed authorities to conduct safety inspections of all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airlines. Representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing are assisting in the investigation.
The Transport Ministry is also examining the airport’s runway safety infrastructure, specifically the concrete fence the plane collided with, and whether similar structures at other airports should be redesigned using lighter materials. Flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been recovered and are being analyzed. While the investigation is expected to take months, initial assessments suggest the landing gear malfunction may have been a primary factor in the crash, although other potential contributing factors, such as possible engine trouble, are also being explored.
The disaster has shaken the nation, prompting a seven-day national mourning period. Bereaved families are demanding a faster return of their loved ones’ remains, citing the extensive damage to the bodies. Concerns are also being raised about the government’s ability to effectively manage the crisis given the ongoing political instability and leadership vacuum. The JoongAng Ilbo newspaper expressed concerns regarding the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ capacity to handle the disaster’s aftermath effectively. The incident comes on the heels of other recent major tragedies in the country, raising questions about overall safety standards and regulations.
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