South Korea plane crash latest: Bird strike warning issued minutes before emergency landing that killed 179
Jeju Air’s passenger plane smashed into a concrete wall after an emergency landing at Muan international airport in South Korea
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Air traffic controllers warned pilots on a plane that crashed at an airport in South Korea, killing 179 passengers and crew, of a possible bird strike moments before it landed.
Authorities have confirmed that all 175 passengers, as well as four of the six crew, were killed in the incident at Muan international airport on Sunday morning. The only two survivors were crew sitting at the back of the plane at the time of the crash.
It is the deadliest plane crash on South Korean soil in its history.
Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok announced a seven-day period of national mourning, starting Sunday, and lasting until midnight on Saturday.
The country’s transport ministry has confirmed that air traffic controllers warned the pilots of the ill-fated flight about a bird strike risk just three minutes before the plane landed. The pilot then declared a mayday one minute later before trying to land the plane.
But experts have expressed scepticism that a collision with a bird could cause such damage.
Distraught families want answers after 179 people die in South Korea’s deadliest domestic air disaster
Everything we know so far about the South Korea plane crash
Jeju Air CEO bows in apology after South Korea deadly plane crash
Emergency workers assess Jeju Air crash site at South Korea’s Muan airport
Explained: Everything we know about South Korea’s worst domestic air disaster
South Korea plane crash: All we know so far
Footage shows Boeing 737-800 skidding along runway at Muan airport before hitting wall and catching fire
Joe Biden offers US assistance to South Korea
US President Joe Biden has said the United States is prepared to provide any necessary assistance to South Korea after a deadly plane crash in Muan.
“As close allies, the American people share deep bonds of friendship with the South Korean people and our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this tragedy,” Biden said in a statement. “The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance.”
Survivor able to communicate in hospital
A 33-year-old flight attendant from the Jeju Air plane told doctors he had already been rescued when he woke up, according to news agency Yonhap.
He was first taken to a hospital in Mokpo, about 25km (15.5 miles) south of the airport, but was later transferred to Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital in the capital.
“He’s fully able to communicate,” Mr Ju said. “There’s no indication yet of memory loss or such.”
Lee was sitting in the back of the plane and remembers touching down, but nothing after that. When he arrived at the hospital, he simply asked: “What happened?”
The survivor, who suffered multiple fractures, is receiving special care due to the risk of after-effects, including total paralysis, the news agency added.
Key timings of the crash
Below, we have some key timings of the Jeju Air plane crash earlier today, according to South Korea’s transport ministry. They show local times in South Korea.
08:57 a.m. - Control tower issued a bird strike warning
08:59 a.m. - Mayday call
09:03 a.m. - Runway crash
11:30 a.m. - Flight data recorder recovered
2:24 p.m. - Cockpit voice recorder recovered
Full report: Plane crash kills 179 in South Korea as Jeju Air flight hits wall
Plane crash kills 179 in South Korea as Jeju Air flight veers off runway
The Jeju Air passenger plane’s landing gear is said to have failed to deploy
Father of woman killed says the tragedy is unbelievable
Jeon Je-young keeps playing the video of the plane with his daughter and another 180 people on board slamming into a wall and bursting into flames at a South Korean airport.
His daughter Mi-sook died on board. He still can’t believe it.
“When I saw the accident video, the plane seemed out of control,” 71-year-old Jeon told Reuters. “The pilots probably had no choice but to do it. My daughter, who is only in her mid-40s, ended up like this. This is unbelievable.”
Mi-sook was a warm-hearted child, he said. She brought some food and next year’s calendar to his house on 21 December, which became his last brief moment with her.
“She is much nicer than my son, sometimes asking me to go out for a meal,” Jeon recalled, showing his last exchanges with his daughter on his mobile phone.
Jeon’s daughter had been on her way home after travelling with friends to Bangkok for the Christmas holiday. She leaves behind a devastated family, including a husband and teenage daughter.
“The water near the airport is not deep. Here are softer fields than this cement runway. Why couldn’t the pilot land there instead?” Jeon said.
“She was almost home, so (she saw) no need to call the family (to leave any final message). She thought she was coming home,” Jeon said.
South Korean president announces national period of mourning
Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok has announced a period of national mourning over the deadly plane crash, local media reported.
“We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in this unexpected tragedy,” Choi said, according to Yonhap news agency.
He declared a seven-day national mourning period, starting Sunday, and lasting until midnight on Saturday.
South Korean health ministry to provide counseling services to greiving families
The South Korean health ministry has sent funeral directors to help with funeral preparations and planned to offer professional counselling to the injured and family members of the victims, according to Yonhap news agency.
US investigators help South Korea in probe after crash
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading a team of US investigators to help South Korea‘s aviation authority in its investigation of the Jeju Air crash in Muan, the agency said.
Planemaker Boeing BA.N and the Federal Aviation Administration are participating, NTSB said.
Why did the South Korean Jeju Air flight crash, killing 179? Experts question bird strike claims
My colleague Tom Watling reports:
Why did the South Korean Jeju Air flight crash? Experts question bird strike claims
Aviation experts have questioned how a collision with birds could have been the sole cause of such a disaster
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments