In 2024, aviation accidents resulted in the tragic loss of 318 lives. This marks the second-highest number of fatalities since 2018, which saw 526 deaths. While one might assume that aviation safety is improving, the high death toll in 2024 stands in stark contrast to 2023, which was hailed as the “safest year ever” by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). According to Cirium, the deadliest crash occurred in South Korea, where 179 of 181 passengers aboard Jeju Air Flight 2216 lost their lives. While the exact cause is still under investigation, this tragedy offers vital lessons for improving aviation safety worldwide.
Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, tragically overran the runway at Muan, South Korea, and crashed while attempting an emergency belly landing. Out of the 181 occupants, only two flight attendants survived. Initial reports from Lee Jeong-hyun, head of the Muan Fire Department, suggest that a bird strike or severe weather might have played a role, although the investigation is ongoing. The airline’s management denies any mechanical issues with the aircraft, but some experts point to air traffic control challenges as a contributing factor. The bird strike, which may have caused one or both engines to fail, set off a chain of events leading to the fatal crash. Another crucial factor was the concrete wall at the end of the runway, which damaged the aircraft. Many pilots were unaware of the wall’s existence, and some experts, including those from BBC, argue that the wall should have been a softer barrier to mitigate the impact. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, however, defends the use of such structures, citing their presence at other airports worldwide.
The problems that led to this tragedy are not unique to this particular crash but reflect broader safety concerns in global aviation. The Boeing 737, the aircraft involved, has faced scrutiny for design flaws that have contributed to previous accidents. For instance, between 2018 and 2025, Boeing 737s have been linked to the deaths of 346 passengers in a series of crashes. The aircraft’s design issues, compounded by maintenance concerns, highlight serious vulnerabilities in its operation. Communication between the pilot and air traffic control is essential, especially in the aftermath of critical incidents like bird strikes. However, in this case, vital communication between the flight crew and ground control was cut off after the bird strike, further complicating the response to the emergency. In addition, bird strikes are a known and recurring threat to aviation safety, with approximately 500 such incidents reported in South Korea alone in the past five years. Given the large number of birds in the area prior to the crash, better awareness and proactive measures could have prevented this tragedy.
Despite the ongoing investigation into the exact causes of the crash, one aspect that has drawn significant attention is the question of pilot decision-making. Reports have raised concerns about why the pilots failed to slow the aircraft in time, why they may have attempted to land in the opposite direction of the runway, and why they overshot the designated landing zone. As the investigation continues, it is essential to look beyond the immediate causes and focus on systemic issues within the aviation industry. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a goal of zero fatalities in commercial aviation by 2030, and this crash serves as a stark reminder of the work that remains. By addressing key safety risks, such as human error and aircraft design flaws, and through collaboration among global stakeholders, the industry can make significant strides toward achieving this ambitious goal.
The 2024 Jeju Air crash, which resulted in the deaths of 179 passengers, serves as a tragic reminder of the vulnerabilities that still exist within aviation safety. While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, the incident highlights critical issues such as bird strikes, maintenance shortcomings, and design flaws in the aircraft. As the aviation industry works toward enhancing safety standards, the lessons learned from this tragedy will play a crucial role in preventing future accidents. Achieving the goal of zero fatalities in aviation by 2030 is an ambitious but essential objective, and it is only through continued vigilance, innovation, and collaboration that this can be realized.
By: Jiyoon Shin
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