South Korea scrambles for answers after deadly plane crash

South Korea has launched a sweeping investigation into Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by its airlines, following a catastrophic crash that killed 179 people in Muan on Sunday.

As the country grapples with its deadliest aviation disaster in decades, officials are racing to uncover the cause while facing public outrage over perceived government mismanagement.

The crash occurred when a Jeju Air-operated Boeing 737-800 attempted a second landing in Muan. Ground control issued a bird strike warning moments before the pilot sent a distress signal. The plane landed without its front landing gear, overshot the runway, hit a concrete barrier, and exploded into flames.

“The essence of a responsible response would be renovating the aviation safety systems on the whole to prevent recurrences of similar incidents,” said Acting President Choi Sang-mok during a Monday task force meeting.

Videos of the crash revealed the plane did not deploy flaps or slats, suggesting a possible hydraulic failure. Experts like John Cox, a retired airline pilot, noted that the jetliner was under control before hitting the barrier, which likely exacerbated the fatalities.

The Transport Ministry plans to inspect all 101 Boeing 737-800 planes in South Korea, including 39 operated by Jeju Air. Officials are also scrutinizing the crash site’s infrastructure, including the concrete localizer barrier, which some argue should have been constructed with lighter, breakable materials.

Alan Price, a former Delta Air Lines chief pilot, defended the Boeing 737-800 as “a proven airplane,” distancing it from the troubled 737 Max series linked to earlier crashes.

Meanwhile, investigators are analyzing flight data and cockpit audio recorders, though conclusions may take months. International experts, including representatives from Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, are aiding the probe.

The crash has intensified scrutiny on South Korea’s disaster response capabilities, already under strain due to a political crisis. President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo were recently impeached following Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law. The leadership vacuum has fueled fears of inadequate crisis management.

“We are deeply worried whether the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters really can handle the disaster,” the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper wrote in a scathing editorial.

Grieving families have expressed frustration over delays in identifying victims. Of the 179 dead, 146 bodies have been identified, with DNA testing underway for the remaining 33.

“I demand that the government mobilize more personnel to return our brothers and family members as intact as possible,” said Park Han Shin, a representative for the bereaved families, fighting back tears.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over a nation already reeling from recent disasters, including a Halloween crowd crush in 2022 and a ferry sinking in 2014, both of which exposed lapses in safety oversight. South Korea has declared a week of national mourning, vowing to honor the victims and prevent future tragedies.