Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216 Crash at Muan International Airport: An Analysis of the Tragic Accident

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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.

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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.

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Location: Muan International Airport, 970-260 Gonghang-ro, Mangun-myeon, Muan, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

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