The aircraft that crash-landed on a runway in Muan, South Korea, appeared not to have its landing gear deployed, according to video footage and analysis by a CNN transport expert. The Boeing 737-800, operated by low-cost carrier Jeju Air, was carrying 181 people from Bangkok to Muan International Airport when it suffered the incident.
Mary Schiavo, a former inspector general of the US Department of Transportation, said that the engine failure or damaged indicators could have caused the pilot to abort the landing and perform a “go-around,” circling back to the runway to confirm whether the landing gear was down or not. Schiavo noted that this is a proper procedure to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers.
The tragedy occurred during a busy holiday travel season, with South Korea’s aviation industry experiencing rapid growth, including in light of the country’s high safety record. South Korea is rated Category 1 in the US Federal Aviation Administration’s International Aviation Safety Assessment Program, indicating a high level of safety. The industry is also booming in neighboring countries such as Thailand, prompting regulators to stay vigilant in the face of growth.