South Korea to Inspect Boeing 737-800 Planes after Jeju Air Crash

South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) announced a special inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the country after a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed at Muan International Airport on December 29.

The crash resulted in 179 fatalities out of 181 passengers and crew onboard.

The Jeju Air flight, operating as 7C 2216, was en route from Bangkok to Muan when its landing gear reportedly failed. The aircraft landed without wheels, overshot the runway, and collided with a fence. Its fuselage broke apart, and the wreckage caught fire. Another Jeju Air plane reported landing gear problems the following morning, further raising safety concerns.

MOLIT stated that 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft are operated by various South Korean airlines, with low-cost carriers making up the majority. Jeju Air has the largest fleet, operating 39 of the aircraft, followed by T'way Air with 27, Jin Air with 19, Eastar Jet with 10, Air Incheon with four, and Korean Air with two.

The inspection will focus on evaluating the operational conditions, maintenance records, and compliance with aviation safety regulations. "We aim to conduct a detailed analysis of the maintenance system to ensure adherence to all relevant safety standards," MOLIT stated.

The fatal crash at Muan Airport is one of the most severe aviation incidents in South Korea in recent years.