MUAN COUNTY, South Korea, Dec 31, (V7N) - On Monday, South Korea’s acting President, Choi Sang-mok, ordered an emergency safety inspection of the country’s airline operations after a deadly plane crash at Muan International Airport, which claimed the lives of 175 passengers and four of the six crew members. The incident occurred when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 attempted to land, belly-landed, and skidded off the runway, causing a fireball upon impact with a wall. Two crew members survived the crash.

The primary focus now is to identify the victims, support their families, and treat the two survivors. Acting President Choi emphasized the need for transparency in the investigation process and requested prompt updates for the bereaved families. He also instructed the transport ministry to conduct an emergency safety inspection of all aircraft systems to prevent future accidents.

As a first step, the transport ministry announced that it would inspect all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airlines, focusing on the maintenance records of key components.

The crash occurred on Sunday morning when Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, tried to land at Muan International Airport. The pilots reported a bird strike shortly before declaring an emergency and attempting to abandon the landing. However, the aircraft was unable to go around and landed on the runway, about 1,310 yards down, before sliding into an embankment.

Investigators are exploring possible causes, including whether the bird strike caused a malfunction in the aircraft’s control systems and why the pilots appeared to be rushing the landing attempt. They are also examining the role of the localiser antenna at the end of the runway and whether the concrete embankment was the right safety feature to stop the plane.

Many of the victims were local residents returning from holidays in Thailand. Two Thai nationals were also killed. Families are now grieving, with some, like Boonchuay Duangmanee, father of one of the Thai victims, trying to come to terms with the loss. “It was an accident, and it can happen to anyone,” he said.

The flight data recorder was recovered from the wreckage but appeared damaged. Officials have sent it to Seoul for analysis with the help of experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing.

The investigation is being led by South Korea, with the NTSB involved since the plane was built in the U.S. Meanwhile, Muan International Airport will remain closed through Wednesday, but other airports in South Korea are operating as usual.

A memorial has been set up in a gym near the crash site, where local residents, including acting President Choi, have paid their respects. Choi, who assumed his role just three days ago, is overseeing the recovery efforts and the investigation following the crash.

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