How many people survived the Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash in South Korea out of 181 on board?

On December 29, 2024, Jeju Air Flight 2216 tragically crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, with only two survivors out of 181 individuals on board. The flight, originating from Bangkok, Thailand, was a Boeing 737-800 carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members.

The catastrophic event unfolded after the aircraft experienced a bird strike during its initial approach to the airport, leading to engine trouble. The pilots issued a mayday alert and attempted a go-around before making a second landing attempt. During this second attempt, the landing gear did not deploy, and the plane performed a belly landing, overrunning the runway at high speed. The aircraft then collided with a concrete structure, bursting into flames.

The two individuals who survived the crash were both flight attendants. They were seated in the aft jump seats, a section of the aircraft that detached from the main fuselage upon impact, likely contributing to their survival. While they sustained injuries, they were rescued from the tail section of the plane. Investigations into the crash have been ongoing, with initial reports suggesting a possible pilot error where the crew may have mistakenly shut down the less-damaged engine after the bird strike. This incident marked a significant aviation disaster for South Korea.