In the last few hours, a Jeju Air Boeing 737 has crashed in Muan, South Korea.
Information is limited surrounding the incident, but below is what we know on this so far.
Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 – Bangkok to Muan, South Korea…
Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which crashed in Muan, South Korea, originally came from Bangkok, and is a routine scheduled flight.
Furthermore, the aircraft involved in the incident was HL8088.
As per data from Planespotters.net, HL8088 is a 15.4 year old Boeing 737-800 that started out life with Ryanair as EI-EFR in September 2009.
Moreover, it was delivered to Jeju Air in February 2017.
Jeju Air flight 7C2216 departed Bangkok at 0211 local time on December 29th and tracked normally towards Muan, South Korea prior to the crash.
Also, video footage shows what appears to have been a landing gear collapse on landing into the South Korean airport.
From there, the aircraft overshot the runway and suffered an impact with a mound at the airport.
Also, information is limited surrounding casualties and injuries.
Moreover, this remains a developing story. More to follow via updates we will insert below.
LIVE UPDATES…
UPDATE #1 @ 0158 UTC – It is understood that 181 people were onboard.
Also, two people have been rescued so far, as per The Guardian in the last 35 minutes.
Furthermore, 23 casualties have been reported so far.
UPDATE #2 @ 0159 UTC – Local media reporting that the aircraft attempted a belly landing following a gear failure.
UPDATE #3 @ 0204 UTC – The Guardian is reporting that the Boeing 737-800 may have suffered a bird strike that caused the landing gear to fail.
UPDATE #4 @ 0207 UK time – Scenes from the crash site. Authorities provisionally noting 28 casualties so far recorded.
UPDATE #5 @ 0215 UTC – Footage shows the moment the bird strike occurred with the aircraft.
UPDATE #6 @ 0221 UTC – HL8088 is the same aircraft involved in an emergency that took place on December 27th. Click here to see that article.
UPDATE #7 @ 0235 UTC – A third person has been rescued according to Yonhap.
UPDATE #8 @ 0239 UTC – Death count has increased to 47.
UPDATE #9 @ 0314 UTC – Death toll rises to 62.
UPDATE #10 @ 0343 UTC – Jeonnam Fire Department is now presuming most of the 181 passengers onboard are dead.
UPDATE #11 @ 0346 UTC – Jeju Air has updated their website with a notice:
“We deeply apologize to all those affected by the incident at Muan Airport.”
“We will make every effort to resolve the situation.”
Furthermore, the airline added: “We sincerely regret the distress caused.”
Investigators On Scene…
UPDATE #12 @ 0350 UTC – Investigators confirmed on scene and are now assessing the situation.
UPDATE #13 @ 0353 UTC – Death count has increased to 75 passengers.
Furthermore, all but two of the passengers onboard are presumed dead currently by authorities.
UPDATE #14 @ 0412 UTC – Jeonnam Fire Department confirms that the recovery operations have shifted.
Furthermore, they stated that most of the missing people are dead.
UPDATE #15 @ 0428 UTC – Official death count now stands at 85.
UPDATE #16 @ 0500 UTC – Recap of today/tonight’s events depending on where you are around the world (See above).
Early questions being asked revolve around whether a suspected birdstrike on the aircraft prior to landing resulted in hydraulic system damage, which led to the landing gear failing to extend.
A temporary mortuary has now been established at Muan International Airport for crash victims, with 94 bodies so far accounted for. Muan has now been declared as a Special Disaster Area.
UPDATE #17 @ 0530 UTC
US manufacturer Boeing has now issued a statement of condolence to the families of victims. The confirmed death toll from the Jeju Air accident has now risen to 120, according to the Korean National Fire Agency.
Update #18: 0705 UTC
Via Yonghap News: Muan International Airport issued a warning of a ‘bird strike’ to Jeju flight 7C2216.
Flight crew then transmitted a ‘mayday’ one minute after the bird strike advice message. The aircraft subsequently crashed five minutes later.
The Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport stated, “The pilot declared a mayday shortly after the control tower issued a bird strike warning while attempting to land on runway 01.”
“At that time, the control tower gave the pilot permission to land in the opposite direction of the runway, and it was confirmed that the pilot crossed the runway and crashed into the wall during the landing process.”
A flight attendant who survived the South Korea plane crash confirmed that the aircraft suffered bird strike before landing.
Update #19: 0730 UTC
Via Yonghap News: The Jeonnam Fire Department has now confirmed: “125 victims recovered, 22 identified”
Update #20: 0230 UTC 30 December
The NTSB will lead a team of U.S. investigators (NTSB, Boeing and FAA) to assist the Republic of Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) with their investigation of the Jeju Air accident at Muan International Airport.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport confirms that they have now recovered both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the wreckage.
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