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Aviation experts have shed light on how two cabin crew members survived the tragic Jeju Air flight 2216 crash that claimed 179 lives in Muan, South Korea.
The Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway, collided with a concrete barrier, and erupted in flames after its landing gear failed to deploy. Out of the 181 people on board, only two crew members seated at the rear escaped with their lives—an area that remained largely intact despite the devastating fire.
Survival in the Tail Section
Muan Fire Chief Lee Jung-hyun noted that the tail was the only recognizable part of the aircraft. “The rest of the plane is unrecognizable,” he said. Rescuers extracted the survivors from the rear exit.
Emergency officials highlighted that crew seats are typically located at the front and back of Boeing 737-800 planes. On flight 2216, the surviving flight attendants were positioned near the rear emergency exits.
Flight attendant safety training and access to specialized equipment, such as harnesses and restraints, may have contributed to their survival, although it remains unclear if this equipment was used during the crash.
Expert Insights on Crash Survival
A 2015 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) study analyzed by Time magazine revealed that passengers seated at the back of planes had a lower fatality rate of 32%, compared to 39% in the middle and 38% at the front.
The safest seats are typically located in the middle of the rear section, with a 28% fatality rate.
Timeline of the Crash
The aircraft issued a mayday call at 9:02 AM before crashing into the barrier at 9:03 AM. Rescuers pulled the two flight attendants from the wreckage at 9:23 AM and 9:50 AM.
One survivor, 33-year-old flight attendant Lee Mo, told doctors he wore his seatbelt but recalled nothing after impact. The second survivor, 25-year-old Koo, described smoke from an engine followed by an explosion but remembered no further details.
Survivor Conditions
Lee sustained a fractured shoulder and head injuries, while Koo is being treated for scalp lacerations, ankle fractures, and abdominal injuries. Medical experts warned that Lee could face full-body paralysis due to the severity of his injuries.
Crash Investigation Continues
Investigators are exploring whether the concrete barrier at the runway’s end contributed to the disaster. Air safety expert David Learmount criticized the barrier’s presence, suggesting it may have been “verging on criminal” and questioning why firefighters were not stationed along the runway.
Officials maintain that the runway design complies with aviation safety guidelines and that buffer zones exist before reaching the wall.
The Jeju Air crash is South Korea’s worst since 1997, when a Korean Air flight crashed in Guam, resulting in over 200 fatalities.
Family members of the victims continue to demand answers, as authorities proceed with autopsies and the identification process.
