[All] Causes of South Korean plane crash: in-depth analysis and discussion with experts

On December 29, 2024, South Korean Jeju Air flight 7C2216 had a serious accident when landing at Muan International Airport. This article delves into the causes of the accident, technical issues, environmental factors and expert opinions.

1. Overview of the accident

At 9 a.m. on December 29, 2024, Jeju Air flight 7C2216 took off from Bangkok, Thailand, and suffered a major accident when it landed at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do, South Korea. The accident killed 179 out of 181 people, and only 2 people survived. The plane overran the runway during landing, collided with the airport guardrail, exploded and completely burned down.

The aircraft involved is a Boeing 737-800, one of Jeju Air’s main models. The accident is considered the most serious aviation accident in South Korea in the past 30 years.

2. Cause of the accident: bird strike and doubts

official statement

◦ Bird strike : South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism initially determined that the main cause of the accident was a bird strike during the landing.
◦ The landing gear did not deploy : The aircraft failed to lower the landing gear properly when landing, directly resulting in a belly landing.

Experts question

◦ Whether a bird strike is enough to cause such serious consequences : Experts point out that although a bird strike may damage the engine, it usually does not cause the landing gear to fail to deploy.
◦ Suspicious weather conditions : The weather was sunny on the day of the incident and there were no extreme weather conditions, which is inconsistent with the official statement of the impact of severe weather.
◦ Other potential causes : including the possibility of aircraft internal system failure or poor maintenance.

3. Technical issues: aircraft design and system failures

Landing gear and deceleration system failed

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft is equipped with a modern hydraulic system to control the landing gear, but in the event of system failure, the landing gear can still be lowered manually by gravity. However, in this accident, the landing gear and deceleration equipment were not functioning properly.

◦ Hydraulic system failure : It may be caused by a bird strike, but other internal failures cannot be ruled out.
◦ Failure of the deceleration device : the flaps, spoilers and thrust reversers were not activated, which may be the main reason why the aircraft was unable to decelerate and overran the runway.

Aircraft maintenance and safety records

◦ The aircraft involved was manufactured in 2009 and has a service life of approximately 15 years.

◦ Although Jeju Air was investigated for maintenance issues in 2021, the flight had no abnormal records in recent routine inspections.

4. Environmental factors: the particularity of Muan International Airport

High risk of bird strike

◦ There is a large-scale wetland near Muan International Airport, which is an important habitat for migratory birds. This increases the risk of aircraft being struck by birds.

Inadequate runway facilities

◦ The EMAS system is under construction: The emergency deceleration device at the end of the runway cannot be used due to construction, missing the last line of defense.
◦ Insufficient safety buffer zone: The buffer design between the runway and the guardrail is imperfect, making the consequences of the accident more serious.

5. Comparison with past aviation accidents

Major aviation accidents in Korean history

◦ 1997 Korean Air Flight 801 accident: failed to land in Guam, killing 229 people.
◦ 2002 Air China Flight 129 accident: crashed in Busan, killing 129 people.

International similar cases

◦ 2009 US Airways Flight 1549 accident: The plane successfully made an emergency landing in the Hudson River after being struck by a bird, and all passengers survived.
◦ China Eastern Airlines flight MU5735 accident in 2022: crashed possibly due to mechanical failure, killing 132 people.

6. Expert analysis: multi-faceted cause review

Limitations of Bird Strike

◦ Japanese and Australian aviation experts agreed that although the bird strike may affect the engine, it cannot alone cause the failure of the landing gear and deceleration system at the same time.

Possibility of human factors

◦ Some former pilots believe the accident may have been related to the crew's response in an emergency. For example, failing to hover in the air to reduce the amount of fuel, or failing to lay down foam in advance to prevent a fire.

Maintenance and design flaws

Several experts have called for a thorough investigation into the aircraft's maintenance records and design issues, especially whether the reliability and redundancy of the hydraulic system are adequate.

7. Future Countermeasures: Strengthening Security and International Cooperation

South Korean government’s response

◦ Nationwide special inspection of Boeing 737-800: ensuring the safety of the same type of aircraft.
◦ Strengthen bird strike prevention measures: improve bird repellent equipment and technology.

Airline Responsibilities

◦ Improve crew members’ emergency training and judgment capabilities.
◦ Strictly implement maintenance plans to avoid systematic oversights.

International Cooperation and Safety Standards

◦ Work with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing to conduct an in-depth investigation.
◦ Strengthen coordination with international aviation organizations and improve global aviation safety standards.

in conclusion

The Jeju aviation accident was the result of a series of complex factors, including the external environment, aircraft system failures and human judgment errors. Through thorough investigation and all-round improvements, South Korea is expected to improve its aviation safety standards and avoid similar tragedies from happening again.

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