December turns deadly: 234 lives lost in six aviation disasters

This December has been one of the darkest months for aviation, with six deadly crashes claiming 234 lives worldwide. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of aircraft, maintenance practices, and external factors like weather and military activities. Among the accidents, the crash of a Jeju Air flight in South Korea stands out as the most devastating.

South Korea: Jeju Air Tragedy

On December 29, a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed at Muan Airport, South Korea, killing 177 out of the 181 people on board. The plane, returning from Bangkok, lost control when its front landing gear failed to deploy. It skidded off the runway, hitting a concrete fence and bursting into flames. Only two survivors, including a crew member and a passenger, were rescued.

This marks the first fatal accident in Jeju Air's history since its establishment in 2005. Authorities are investigating the cause of the landing gear failure, with experts calling it one of South Korea’s worst aviation disasters.

Azerbaijan Airlines crash

On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190AR crashed near Aktau Airport, Kazakhstan, killing 38 out of 67 passengers. The plane was flying from Baku to Grozny but diverted due to technical problems and bad weather. After failing to land at Grozny Airport, the plane crashed into the ground near Aktau.

Investigators suspect mechanical issues and possible external interference, including disruptions from military operations in the region. Dense fog at the time also worsened the situation.

Brazil: family wiped out

On December 22, a private plane crashed in Gramado, Brazil, killing ten members of a single family, including businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi, who was piloting the aircraft. The plane hit a building’s chimney, a house, and a shop during its descent, injuring 17 people on the ground.

Papua New Guinea crash

A charter flight in Papua New Guinea ended in tragedy on December 22. A Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander operated by North Coast Aviation crashed, killing all five people on board. The wreckage was found the next day, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause.

ALSO READ: Bird Flu outbreak kills 20 wildcats at Washington Wildlife Sanctuary

ALSO READ: Ugandan man with 12 wives and 102 kids struggles to feed massive clan

Argentina's runway overshoot

In Argentina, a Bombardier Challenger 300 crashed near San Fernando Airport on December 21, killing both pilots. The plane overshot the runway, hitting a fence and tree before catching fire. Investigators are examining whether the runway length was sufficient for the aircraft.

Hawaii: training flight crash

On December 17, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan operated by Kamaka Air LLC crashed near Honolulu, Hawaii. The training flight ended tragically, killing both pilots. The plane lost control shortly after takeoff and crashed into a building.
These crashes have spotlighted various safety concerns in aviation, from equipment failures to harsh weather and human error. As investigations continue, the industry faces mounting pressure to enhance safety measures and reassess protocols to prevent future tragedies.