South Korean Plane Pilot Attempted 'Belly Landing' Before Crash: What is it?

Seoul: The deadly crash of a South Korean plane at Muan Airport on Sunday during landing has claimed the lives of 176 passengers. The accident reportedly occurred at 9:03 a.m. when the Jeju Air flight, carrying 180 passengers and six crew members, veered off the runway and crashed into a fence. Officials confirmed that the flight included 174 Koreans and 2 Thai nationals.

Footage showing the exact moment of the crash, which surfaced online, reveals the flight, returning from Bangkok, attempting a belly landing after the plane’s landing gear failed to deploy properly.

Bird Strike as the Cause of Malfunction?

Reports suggest that during the emergency landing attempt, the plane was unable to reduce its speed sufficiently as it neared the end of the perimeter wall. The aircraft immediately burst into flames upon hitting the fence. Visuals show thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the plane, which was engulfed in flames.

There are also indications that a bird strike may have caused the malfunction of the landing gear, although the exact cause of the crash has yet to be confirmed. According to local media, airport authorities stated that the pilot attempted a crash landing after a regular landing attempt failed, possibly due to the bird strike.

"Witnesses noted that the plane’s landing gear, including the tires, remained unactivated, possibly forcing the pilot to attempt a crash landing, with the bird strike presumed to be the cause of the malfunction," the report said.

Fire officials have warned that, given the severe damage to the aircraft, the death toll could rise. However, two survivors, a passenger and a flight attendant have been reported.

What is a Belly Landing?

A belly landing is an emergency landing where an aircraft touches down without deploying its landing gear, meaning it lands directly on its underside or "belly." This typically happens when there is a malfunction or failure in the landing gear system.

During a belly landing, pilots generally follow specific emergency protocols, such as burning off excess fuel (to reduce the risk of fire), aiming for a smooth landing surface, and notifying emergency services. Although risky, a well-executed belly landing can minimize damage and help ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

Belly landings often carry the risk of the aircraft flipping over, disintegrating, or catching fire if the landing is too fast or hard.

Typically, planes preparing for a belly landing will circle the airport while pilots try to assess the situation. In this case, however, that procedure was not followed.

Weather’s Role in the Tragedy

Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of Muan Fire Station, stated that bad weather likely contributed to the tragedy. "The cause of the accident is presumed to be a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions. However, the exact cause will be determined following a joint investigation," he said.

Jeju Air Apologizes

Jeju Air issued an apology following the tragic airplane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport, which claimed the lives of 96 passengers, according to the AP news agency.

In a statement posted on its website, the airline said, “We bow our heads in apology to everyone who suffered in the accident.” The statement further assured, “We will do everything we can to address this incident.”