Mon Dec 30 03:32:10 UTC 2024: ## Jeju Air Plane Crash Kills 179 in South Korea
**Muan, South Korea** – A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 passengers and crew crashed on landing at Muan Airport on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of 179 people. Only two flight attendants survived the tragedy.
The aircraft, en route from Bangkok, Thailand, experienced a suspected bird strike during its initial landing attempt. A mayday call was issued before a second attempt ended in a devastating belly landing, with the plane skidding off the runway, hitting a wall, and bursting into flames.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, citing potential factors such as the bird strike and adverse weather conditions. However, officials ruled out runway length as a contributing factor.
The incident has shocked South Korea, which boasts a generally strong aviation safety record. Acting President Choi Sang-mok declared the crash site a special disaster zone and convened an emergency meeting. Families of the victims gathered at the airport, overcome with grief.
This marks the deadliest aviation accident in South Korea since 2002, when an Air China plane crashed near Busan, killing 129. It is also the first fatal accident for Jeju Air.
First Piper 