The recent tragic plane crash in South Korea that claimed 179 lives has sparked investigations into potential causes of the accident. Preliminary findings suggest issues with control systems and landing gear deployment as potential causes. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air, and a team of US investigators, including representatives from Boeing, has begun inspecting the crash site. South Korean authorities have launched comprehensive safety inspections on all 101 planes of the same model in the country.
The investigative delegation included members from the US Federal Aviation Administration, the US National Transportation Safety Board, and Boeing. The inspection of maintenance and operational records is ongoing, with findings pending until at least Friday. The tragic crash saw the aircraft crash-land at Muan International Airport, resulting in 179 fatalities, with only two survivors. Video footage showed the plane touching down on its belly without deploying its landing gear, overshooting the runway, colliding with a concrete fence, and bursting into flames.
Reports indicate that the pilots issued a distress signal after receiving a bird strike warning from ground control. However, aviation experts suggest that control systems malfunction may have been the primary cause. Signs that the plane’s landing gear and wing flaps failed to deploy could indicate a control issue, according to John Hansman, an aviation expert from MIT. The Boeing 737-800, an earlier model than the troubled 737 Max, has historically had a strong safety record, raising questions about the cause of the crash.
Najmedin Meshkati, an engineering professor at the University of Southern California, has noted multiple system failures affecting the aircraft’s location broadcasting, landing gear, and wing flaps, pointing to broader problems with electrical and hydraulic systems. Meshkati also raised concerns about the solid concrete wall placed just beyond the runway at Muan International Airport, calling it “very bad luck for this particular airplane.” South Korean officials have promised to investigate whether the wall, part of the airport’s localiser system, should have been made with lighter materials to reduce the impact during accidents.
Jeju Air’s president, Kim E-bae, has announced measures to enhance safety, including hiring more maintenance staff and reducing flight operations by 10-15% until March. The deadly crash is the worst aviation accident in South Korea in decades, prompting a seven-day national mourning period declared by the government. Authorities are working to identify the victims, with 175 victims identified and DNA tests being conducted on the remaining five. Families of the victims have expressed frustration over delays in providing freezers for preserving the bodies, with one representative criticizing the government for failing to keep its promises regarding victims’ dignities.
