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South Korea’s interim leader ordered an emergency safety inspection of all air operations in the country, a day after 179 people died in the deadliest plane crash on its territory.
The Jeju Air plane burst into flames when it crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, killing all on board except two victims.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok has asked investigators into the incident to quickly reveal their findings to grieving families.
Their request also comes as another Jeju Air flight returned to Seoul shortly after takeoff on Monday, due to an unidentified landing gear problem.
On Monday, the Jeju Air plane took off from Gimpo International Airport at 06:35 local time (21:35 GMT Sunday) and returned less than an hour later after noticing a mechanical defect caused by a problem in the train. landing, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. reported.
Landing gear refers to the set of wheels and other aircraft parts that support the aircraft during takeoff, taxiing, and landing.
The plane that turned around was a Boeing B737-800, the same model as the one involved in Sunday’s disaster.
Thirty-nine of the 41 aircraft in Jeju Air’s fleet are of this model.
After Sunday’s deadly crash, Boeing had said it was in contact with Jeju Air and was “ready to support them.”
The 179 passengers on flight 7C2216 ranged in age from three to 78, although most were between 40, 50 and 60 years old, according to the Yonhap news agency. Two Thai nationals were among the dead and the rest are believed to be South Koreans, officials said.
On Sunday, the ill-fated plane skidded off the runway after landing and crashed into a wall shortly after 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT).
A South Korean transportation official had said the plane had been attempting to land but was forced to delay it after air traffic control gave a bird strike warning, an alert about the risk of a bird strike.
The air traffic command later gave permission for the plane to land in the opposite direction, the official said.
Airline bosses bowed low as they publicly apologized at a news conference on Sunday.
“We deeply apologize to everyone affected by the incident. We will do everything possible to resolve the situation,” the firm said in a statement.
Jeju Air shares were trading about 8% lower in Seoul on Monday.
The accident is a national tragedy for South Korea, which has been embroiled in political turmoil after parliament voted to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol and his temporary successor Han Duck-soo.
Acting President Choi, who took office only Friday, said he is “heartbroken” by the accident.
“To the honorable citizens of our nation, as acting president, my heart aches as we face this unforeseen tragedy amid recent economic hardships,” he said.
