South Korea orders emergency safety inspection of airline operations after Jeju Air crash

Summary

South Korea has ordered an emergency inspection of all airline operations and Boeing 737-800 aircraft after a Jeju Air crash killed 179 people in the country’s worst domestic aviation disaster.

The crash occurred during a “belly landing” at Muan airport, where the plane skidded off the runway and struck a wall.

Investigators suspect causes including a bird strike and weather but await analysis of damaged flight recorders.

Jeju Air’s CEO apologized and pledged support for victims’ families, while the nation observes a seven-day mourning period.