It was chaos.
Two survivors of the Jeju Air plane crash, which killed 179 passengers, shared their recollections of the incident. The crash occurred at Muan International Airport, where the Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 people, crashed after skidding off the runway and hitting a structure. Two crew members were rescued from the rear of the plane, which was the only section that remained relatively intact. The male flight attendant, Lee, sustained fractures and was taken to an intensive care unit, while the female attendant, Koo, was also injured but in stable condition.
The survivors, both of whom were wearing seatbelts and seated in the safest part of the aircraft, described limited memory of the crash’s aftermath. Koo recalled seeing smoke from one of the engines before it exploded. Lee, after regaining consciousness, repeatedly asked what had happened and confirmed he had been rescued. Both survivors appear to be in stable condition but are being closely monitored for further injuries and recovery.
The crash occurred after the plane had received a bird strike warning and attempted to land on an alternate runway. Investigators are examining whether the crash was caused by landing gear issues or engine problems. The aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder is expected to provide more details, but authorities have noted it may take several months to complete the investigation. U.S. and South Korean investigators are working together to analyze the wreckage.
Safety experts have criticized the placement of the runway barrier, which may have contributed to the fatalities. Some experts believe that without the barrier, the plane might have avoided the catastrophic impact. Meanwhile, the runway remains closed for investigation, and authorities are thoroughly inspecting the aircraft model used for potential issues that could affect other planes in operation.
The crash has prompted an outpouring of support, with religious leaders offering prayers for the victims and survivors. Rev. Kim Jong-hook, Chairman of the National Council of Churc
