Another Jeju Air passenger jet reportedly encountered a landing gear malfunction, forcing it to return to the airport in South Korea on Monday.
According to Reuters, the aircraft had departed from Gimpo Airport in Seoul but experienced a landing gear issue shortly after takeoff. It safely returned to Gimpo Airport, as reported by Reuters, citing unnamed sources from the South Korean news agency Yonhap.
While the specific issue was not detailed in the report, it occurred just a day after one of South Korea’s deadliest aviation disasters, which claimed 179 lives on Sunday at Muan International Airport. That incident was also attributed to a landing gear malfunction, reportedly caused by an apparent bird strike.
Sunday’s crash marked the first in Jeju Air’s history. The low-cost carrier, known for its safety record, began operations in 2005.
In the wake of the tragedy, Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae publicly apologized, bowing deeply before the nation. “Regardless of the cause, I take full responsibility as the CEO,” Kim said during a press conference on Sunday.
Muan Airport disaster
A Jeju Air flight returning from Bangkok, Thailand, attempted to land at Muan International Airport on Monday but suffered a landing gear malfunction. The aircraft skidded off the runway, crossed the buffer zone, and collided with the perimeter wall.
The plane caught fire immediately upon impact, and local fire officials reported it was completely destroyed in the blaze. Of the 181 people on board, only two survived the devastating accident.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash. Preliminary findings point to a potential landing gear malfunction caused by a bird strike, with investigators also assessing weather conditions as a possible factor. “We are currently working to determine the exact cause and details of the situation,” a Jeju Air spokesperson stated.
The airline confirmed that the aircraft, which had been in operation for 15 years, had no prior history of accidents or reported mechanical issues.
