Aircraft Crash at Mokpo Airport Due to Controlled Flight Into Terrain (HL7229)

Incident Overview and Flight Details An aircraft departed Seoul-Gimpo and began its descent to Mokpo Airport under adverse weather conditions, including low clouds, heavy rain, and strong winds. The crew made three attempts to land. The first two approaches were abandoned because the crew could not establish visual contact with the runway. During the third approach, conducted under VOR/DME mode, the aircraft struck the wooded slope of Mt Ungeo, located approximately 7.5 km short of runway 06 threshold. The crew failed to recognize that the aircraft's altitude was too low before impact. ## Casualties and Contributing Factors The accident resulted in the deaths of two crew members and 66 passengers, while 48 other occupants sustained injuries. The official investigation identified the probable cause as the crew's decision to continue the approach below weather minima until the aircraft impacted the ground, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing factors included poor weather conditions, limited visibility, inadequate crew monitoring, and an incorrect approach configuration.