South Korea plane crash: Police raid Jeju Air Office and Muan Airport

A tragic plane crash in South Korea on Sunday claimed the lives of 179 out of 181 people on board a Jeju Air flight. The Boeing 737-800 was flying from Thailand to South Korea when it issued a mayday call and crash-landed at Muan International Airport. Only two flight attendants survived, rescued from the burning wreckage.

Authorities are now conducting an extensive investigation to uncover the cause and responsibility for the disaster.

Investigations and evidence collection

On Thursday, South Korean police raided the Jeju Air office in Seoul, the regional aviation office in the southwest, and Muan airport. They gathered evidence to determine what led to the accident. Officials initially suspected a bird strike and are also examining a concrete barrier at the runway’s end, which the plane hit before catching fire.

The barrier housed an antenna array for navigation, and investigators are looking into whether it was appropriately installed. Communication records between the control tower and the pilot are also under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, airports across South Korea are inspecting similar structures to prevent further accidents.

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National mourning and support

The crash site at Muan airport remains an emotional scene. Families of the victims have been visiting to pay respects, leaving flowers, food, and heartfelt notes. Post-it messages at the airport stairway express grief and longing, with one reading, “Honey, I miss you way too much.”

Volunteers, including celebrity chefs, are providing meals for mourning families. Across the country, people are prepaying for coffee at the airport café to support those waiting for updates.

The South Korean government has launched a review of all Boeing 737-800 planes operated in the country, focusing on landing gear issues. Acting President Choi Sang-mok emphasized the need for immediate corrective action if any faults are discovered.

Data from the cockpit voice recorder has been extracted, but the flight data recorder, damaged in the crash, will be sent to the U.S. for analysis.

The investigation into the deadliest aviation accident in South Korea’s history continues, as authorities and experts strive to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.