Eyewitnesses to South Korea plane crash recount sparks in engine, bird strike before collision

A tragic plane crash in South Korea on Sunday left witnesses horrified as they observed flames in the engine of the aircraft and heard explosions. The Jeju Air flight skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport in the town of Muan, resulting in the death of at least 176 people, according to the country’s National Fire Agency (NFA).

Authorities are currently investigating a potential landing gear failure caused by a bird strike that may have led to the crash, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. Videos of the incident show the plane attempting to land without its landing gear deployed, adding to the confusion and chaos of the situation.

The flight was carrying a total of 181 people when the collision occurred at approximately 9:03 a.m. local time. Emergency responders were able to rescue two crew members who are currently in stable condition, while three individuals remain missing.

The plane involved in the crash was identified as a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet that was returning from Bangkok, Thailand. Boeing expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and offered support to Jeju Air during this tragic time.

Witnesses near the airport at the time of the crash shared their harrowing experiences. Yoo Jae-yong reported seeing a spark on the plane’s right wing before the incident, while another witness named Cho recounted the moment the plane crashed into a concrete wall at the end of the runway.

Kim Yong-cheol, who was also present during the crash, mentioned hearing the plane attempt to land before circling back around for another try. He described hearing metallic scraping sounds and witnessing black smoke billowing into the sky after the loud explosion.

Another witness named Jung, who was fishing nearby, claimed to have seen a flock of birds collide with the plane, resulting in a fire in the right engine. He detailed the sequence of events leading up to the crash, highlighting the chaos and devastation that unfolded.

The director of Airports of Thailand, Kerati Kijmanawat, confirmed that the plane departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport without any reported abnormalities. Jeju Air issued a statement expressing deep regret over the crash and promising to take all necessary measures to manage the aftermath of the accident.

As investigations continue into the cause of the deadly plane crash in South Korea, the aviation industry and the global community mourn the loss of lives and reflect on the importance of safety measures in air travel.