Hey everyone! 🛩️ Have you heard about the plane crash in South Korea? It’s a sad story, and many people are trying to find out why it happened. Let’s explore what we know so far.
What Happened?
A plane from Jeju Air, flight number 7C2216, was coming in to land at Muan International Airport after flying from Bangkok, Thailand. It was a regular flight, and everything seemed normal at first.
The Bird Strike 🐦
As the plane was getting ready to land, the pilots told the airport that a bird had hit the plane. This is called a bird strike. Birds can sometimes fly into airplanes, which can be dangerous if they hit the engines or other important parts.
Emergency Landing
After the bird strike, the pilots decided to go around and try landing again. They sent out a Mayday signal, which is a special word pilots use when they have an emergency and need help.
The Crash
But then, something went wrong. The plane tried to land without its wheels down. This is called a belly landing. The plane touched down on the runway but slid off and crashed into a wall at the end. A big fire started, and sadly, 179 of the 181 people on board lost their lives. Only two crew members survived.
Why Did It Happen?
Investigators are looking into several possible reasons:
- Landing Gear Problems: The landing gear is the wheels of the plane. They’re supposed to come down before landing. Experts are wondering why the wheels didn’t come down. Was there a problem with the controls?
- Bird Strike: Did the bird hitting the plane cause more damage than usual? Bird strikes usually don’t stop the landing gear from working.
- Pilot Decisions: Some are asking if the pilots were in a hurry to land. Did they have enough time to fix the problems after the bird strike?
- Runway Safety: There was a concrete wall near the runway. Was that safe? Should there have been something else there to help slow down the plane?
About the Plane
The plane was a Boeing 737-800, a model used all over the world. These planes are known to be very safe. In fact, there are about 4,400 of them flying today!
What Happens Next?
South Korea’s government is checking all similar planes to make sure they’re safe. They’re also looking at all the airlines to prevent something like this from happening again.
Why Is This Important?
Air travel is usually very safe, but accidents can happen. By finding out why this crash happened, airlines and governments can make changes to keep flying safe for everyone.
Our Thoughts
Events like this are tragic, and our hearts go out to everyone affected. It’s important to learn from them so that flying stays one of the safest ways to travel.
Stay curious and stay safe! ✈️❤️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
