Aviation in 2024 has been marred by a series of tragedies that remind us of the inherent risks in air travel. Of the many accidents, one of the worst aviation disasters this year is the Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash in South Korea. The crash killed 179 passengers and crew, with just two survivors, and called for new safety protocols.
A Bad Day for Aviation In the aftermath of Jeju Air's Flight 2216 on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport from Bangkok with 181-175 passengers and six crew-the aviation world would witness one more tragedy of a Boeing-737-800 crashlanding. Unable to drop its front wheels, which forced the captain to proceed with a successful belly landing.
Eyewitness accounts said the plane skidded off the runway and hit a wall before bursting into flames. A bird strike reportedly caused a malfunction in the landing gear, which was the cause of this accident that has left a scar in South Korea's aviation history.
The Viral Last Words
Amid the tragedy, one detail has fascinated and horrified the world: a passenger's final text message, sent moments before the crash. The passenger texted a family member about a bird being "stuck in the wing" and-in a chilling moment of resignation-added, *"Should I leave my last words?"*, according to local South Korean media reports.It puts into words, in text, the horror those on board felt. Since then, it has gone viral, serving as a stark reminder of the human lives behind such statistics.
What Went Wrong?
Preliminary investigations are pointing out that the accident was due to a bird strike where the plane's landing gear collapsed. The pilot, sensing this malfunction, issued a mayday and was given permission in turn to approach and land from the opposite end. These efforts notwithstanding, the attempted landing ended tragically.The alert over a bird strike was also confirmed by South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Director Joo Jong-wan, who said bad weather conditions might have aggravated the situation. Witnesses at the airport likewise recounted seeing smoke trailing from its engines as it struggled to make the landing.
Survivors Speak Out
Of the 181 on board, only two flight attendants survived. One, identified as Lee, left a short recollection: "I woke up and was rescued." Lee is currently under treatment at Seoul National University Hospital, whose medical staff are attending to the severe trauma.
This disaster has once again made the world talk about safety in aviation. Though rare, whenever bird strikes occur, the result is devastating. Experts say that airlines and aviation authorities need to invest in advanced technologies to help detect and mitigate such risks. More training for pilots on handling such situations, finer bird-detection systems, and better communication are what will prevent the recurrence of this kind of accident.
The tragedy of Jeju Air Flight 2216 does not stand in isolation. In the wake of several high-profile aviation disasters in 2024, the industry must take firm action to enhance passenger safety. Although air travel remains statistically among the safest modes of transportation, incidents like these put a face on the real stakes involved and the constant vigilance required.
As the heartbreaking last words of one passenger echo in our minds, they serve as a solemn reminder of the lives lost and the responsibility of the aviation industry to ensure that such tragedies become a thing of the past.
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