Abroad
Jeju Air plane makes U-turn after detecting same landing gear issue from Dec. 29 plane disaster
The aircraft returned to the airport of departure and passengers were offered the option of boarding a different plane.
December 30, 2024, 04:05 PM
Another Jeju Air aircraft has been found to have the same landing gear issue that plagued the Jeju Air plane that crashed on Dec. 29.
On Dec. 30 morning, a Jeju Air flight departed from Seoul but made a U-turn after the issue was discovered.
According to Korean news outlet Yonhap, Jeju Air flight 7C101 departed Gimpo International Airport in Seoul for Jeju at 6:37am.
An issue was found with its landing gear shortly after takeoff.
The airline informed its passengers about the issues and returned to Gimpo International Airport at 7:25am.
Yonhap reported that the passengers were transferred to another Boeing B737 aircraft, which took off for Jeju at 8:30am.
Yonhap added that of the 161 passengers on board flight 7C101, 21 opted not to board the next flight due to safety concerns.
In a press conference, the head of Jeju Air's management support office, Song Kyung-hoon, said that the flight captain contacted the ground control centre after he detected a signal indicating an issue with the landing gear.
"While the landing gear was confirmed to be functioning normally after additional measures, the captain decided to return to the airport for a safety check," said Song.
Worst crash in South Korean history
179 passengers and crew have been presumed dead following a plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Dec. 29, 2024.
Two survivors, one passenger and one crew member, were pulled from the tail section of the plane and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
The Boeing 737 had 181 passengers, including six crew members and 175 passengers. At least two of the passengers were Thai nationals.
According to Korean media JoongAng Ilbo, if the death toll is confirmed, this would be the worst domestic civil aviation disaster in South Korea's history.
The Jeju Air flight, which was returning from Bangkok, Thailand, veered off the runway and collided with a fence.
According to The Guardian, the plane's landing gear had failed to deploy, leading to the plane attempting a belly landing at around 9:03am local time.
Yonhap stated that it was believed all three landing gears of the flight on Dec. 29 had failed to operate properly.
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Top photos via Jeju Air/Facebook
