Flight JJA2216 crash at Muan Airport

179 fatalities • Muan, South Korea • Landing (descent or approach)

A flight from Bangkok to Muan ended in a fatal belly landing and subsequent fire after a bird strike during the final approach.

What happened

On the early morning of the accident, flight JJA2216 departed from Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport, destined for Muan, with an estimated flight duration of four and a half hours. During the final approach to Runway 01 at Muan Airport, air traffic control notified the crew of bird activity near the airfield. Shortly thereafter, the crew declared an emergency following a bird strike involving the aircraft.

In response to the incident, the crew executed a go-around procedure. While climbing to 900 feet, the right engine began backfiring. The crew then attempted to land on the opposite runway, Runway 19. The aircraft performed a belly landing on the 2,800-meter runway and continued to skid for several hundred meters. The aircraft was unable to decelerate sufficiently, resulting in a high-speed overrun where it struck various pieces of landing equipment. The aircraft eventually collided with a concrete wall approximately 144 meters beyond the runway threshold, leading to a post-crash fire and the disintegration of the airframe.

There were 181 fatalities and two serious injuries among the occupants. Investigations by the South Korean Ministry of Transport revealed that both the Cockpit Voice Recorder and the Flight Data Recorder ceased functioning four minutes before the impact occurred.

Findings

  • The aircraft experienced a bird strike during the approach phase.
  • The right engine exhibited backfiring during the missed approach.
  • Flight recorders failed to capture the final four minutes of the flight.

Probable cause

A bird strike during the final approach led to an emergency go-around and a subsequent high-speed runway excursion and crash.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-12-29 Boeing 737-800 accident near Muan, South Korea?

A flight from Bangkok to Muan ended in a fatal belly landing and subsequent fire after a bird strike during the final approach.

Were there any fatalities in the 2024-12-29 Boeing 737-800 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 179 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-12-29 involved a Boeing 737-800, registration HL8088, operated by Jeju Air, at Muan, South Korea.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A bird strike during the final approach led to an emergency go-around and a subsequent high-speed runway excursion and crash.

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