Jeju Air CEO Barred from Leaving South Korea After Fatal Plane Crash

KRKorea|

Following the tragic plane crash in South Korea that killed 179 people, authorities have intensified their investigation into the budget airline Jeju Air. The crash occurred on Sunday at Muan Airport when a Boeing 737-800 lost control during a landing attempt and collided with a concrete wall, resulting in a fire. Of the 181 individuals on board, only two crew members survived.

Investigators executed a search at Jeju Air's headquarters in Seoul on Thursday, and the airline's CEO, Kim E Bae, has been prohibited from leaving the country. The authorities are also examining potential legal issues surrounding the concrete barrier that the aircraft struck.

Initial reports suggested bird strikes and adverse weather conditions could have contributed to the accident. In response, the South Korean government has announced a comprehensive review of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft currently in operation within the country. This model is utilized by six different airlines in South Korea, with a total of 101 machines in operation.

Furthermore, investigators from South Korea and the United States are jointly examining the crash site, with assistance from Boeing representatives. While the cockpit voice recorder has been analyzed, the flight data recorder will be sent to the U.S. for further examination.

The situation has prompted calls for immediate action should the investigations reveal any design or regulatory failures that contributed to the disaster.

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