Why Did a Plane Crash in South Korea? Here’s What We Know ✈️
On Sunday, a tragic plane crash happened in South Korea, and many people are asking, “What caused it?” Let’s explore what happened and what investigators are looking into.
The Accident 🛬
Jeju Air flight 7C2216 was flying from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan International Airport in South Korea. As the plane was about to land around 9 a.m., the pilots reported hitting some birds. This is called a bird strike. The pilots then sent a “Mayday” signal, which is an emergency call for help.
Unfortunately, the plane made a hard landing without its wheels down. This is called a belly landing. It skidded along the runway and crashed into an embankment at the end. The plane caught fire upon impact.
Out of the 181 people on board, 179 sadly lost their lives. Only two crew members survived.
Possible Causes 🔎
Investigators are looking into several factors that might have caused the crash:
- Bird Strike: Hitting birds can be dangerous for planes, especially if they get into the engines.
- Landing Gear Problems: The landing gear (the plane’s wheels) might have malfunctioned or failed to come down.
- Pilot Actions: Experts are wondering why the pilots landed without the wheels down and at a high speed.
- Obstacles Near Runway: There was a concrete structure near the runway that the plane crashed into.
What’s a Bird Strike? 🐦
A bird strike happens when birds collide with an airplane. This can damage parts of the plane, like the engines or wings. Pilots are trained to handle bird strikes, but they can still be dangerous.
What Happens Next? 🛠️
South Korean officials are investigating to find out exactly what went wrong. They are checking the plane’s systems, talking to the surviving crew, and looking at airport safety. They also plan to inspect other planes to make sure they’re safe.
Staying Safe in the Skies 🌤️
Air travel is usually very safe. Engineers and pilots work hard to prevent accidents. Sometimes, unexpected things happen, but learning from these events helps make flying even safer in the future.
Our Thoughts 💙
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. It’s important to support each other during difficult times.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
