In brief
This incident highlights critical moments that could explain the crash involving Jeju Air Flight 7C2216.
On a fateful Sunday morning, a Jeju Air jet carrying 181 passengers was just minutes from landing when disaster struck. The pilot, already behind schedule, received a warning from air traffic control about birds in the vicinity. Just two minutes later, he reported a “bird strike” and declared an emergency. Instead of landing, he attempted a “go-around” to circle back for another approach. However, time was not on his side. The plane, operated by a seasoned pilot with nearly 7,000 hours of flight experience, didn't have enough time to safely reorient. Approaching the runway from the wrong direction, the aircraft tragically crashed into a concrete structure just moments later, bursting into flames. The crash resulted in a devastating loss of life; only two of the 181 onboard survived. This incident is now recognized as South Korea's worst aviation disaster in decades and the deadliest globally since the 2018 Lion Air tragedy, which claimed 189 lives. As investigations unfold, a pressing question remains: What transpired during the critical four minutes between the bird strike announcement and the crash? The aviation community and authorities are scrambling to piece together the events that led to this heartbreaking accident, searching for answers to prevent future tragedies.
