Tragedy at Muan Airport: Boeing 737 explosion caught on film
Before the passenger plane crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, a camera captured an unusual event. MBC Television released a video showing an explosion in the right engine, possibly caused by a bird strike.
The accident occurred in South Korea's South Jeolla Province, approximately 290 kilometres southwest of Seoul. The Jeju Air aircraft, flight 2216, attempted to land at Muan International Airport just before it hit the ground.
The pilot attempted to land the aircraft without deploying the landing gear, but the manoeuvre ended in failure. The Boeing 737-8AS was completely destroyed, with only the tail being recognisable.
Crash of Boeing 737-8AS in South Korea. Experts analyse the footage
There were six crew members and 175 passengers on board. Unusually, two of the cabin crew survived without sustaining severe injuries. It is likely they were in the rear of the plane at the time of the crash.
According to the Yonhap agency, at least 167 people died in the crash. Rescuers are still searching for bodies scattered around the airport area. The casualty count continues to change.
In the footage broadcast by local television stations, the plane can be seen trying to land without the landing gear deployed. Witnesses reported seeing a spark on the right side of the plane before landing.
This phenomenon is visible in the video from South Korean television and may be one of the causes of the tragedy.
