Final messages emerge from Jeju Air passenger before fatal crash near Muan airport, leaving only 2 survivors

On December 29, 2024, a South Korean media outlet, News1, reported the tragic crash of a Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province. The accident, which occurred at approximately 9:07 AM, resulted in 2 survivors so far, among the 181 individuals on board.

The aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members, failed to land safely, leading to a catastrophic crash that left the nation in shock. According to BBC's report on December 29, 177 people have lost their lives as of the time this article was written.

In the moments leading up to the tragedy, an exchange of text messages emerged from one of the passengers. The individual reportedly contacted a family member, explaining that the plane could not land due to a bird strike, or a collision with birds that can severely impact aircraft functionality.

According to News1, a person waiting for their family member shared the text messages with the news outlet. As translated by Google, here is the reported text exchange:

Passenger: "We’re holding. A bird got stuck in the wing."

Family member: "omg"

Passenger: "Can't land."

Family member: "Since when did that happen?"

Passenger: "Just now. Should I make a will?"

The passenger described the situation and expressed concern over the need to prepare a will. Reportedly, that message was the last communication before the crash. Subsequent attempts to contact the passenger have been unsuccessful.

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Everything we know about the tragic Jeju Air plane crash

As per News1, it is believed that the plane’s landing gear reportedly failed to deploy, forcing it to attempt a ground landing. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft scrape along the runway for about 10 seconds before veering off and crashing into a wall at the airport.

Video footage captured smoke emanating from the fuselage and a loud explosion as the plane erupted into flames upon impact. Another video showed the engine area emitting smoke and sparks before the plane touched the ground.

Emergency responders quickly mobilized following the crash, with over 80 firefighters and 32 pieces of equipment dispatched to the scene. Despite their swift efforts, the fire department confirmed several fatalities.

As of the time of writing this article, only two individuals—a male passenger in his 30s and a female crew member in her 20s—were rescued alive and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Authorities are continuing rescue operations and have set up temporary shelters at the airport to assist affected families. Nearby hospitals, including Gwangju General Hospital, are prepared to handle the large number of casualties. However, the severely damaged fuselage is complicating identification efforts.

Investigators are examining multiple factors that could have contributed to the crash, including the bird strike, potential mechanical failures, and weather conditions at the time of the landing attempt. Witness footage and black box recordings are expected to provide crucial insights into the events leading up to the tragedy.

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This disaster has left South Korea in mourning, with the loss of so many lives reverberating across the nation. As the investigation continues and rescue teams work tirelessly, families of the victims are left grappling with the profound loss caused by this horrific accident.