Shocking footage appears to show the moment the passenger jet that crashed on Sunday struck a bird as it came in to land.
As many as 179 people travelling on the ill-fated Jeju Air flight 7C2216 died, when the plane, apparently with its landing gear still closed, slammed on the tarmac at Muan International Airport, around 179 miles southwest the capital, Seoul, .
All 175 passengers lost their lives in the horror crash as well as four crew, though two other crew members were rescued from the wreckage having suffered “mid to severe” injuries, authorities said.
The cause of the disaster is being Officials have suggested that birds may have played a part plane’s landing gear malfunctioning.
Video appears to show a bird striking the plane’s right engine during its descent to the airport, with material apparently being blasted out of the exhaust.
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Authorities are investigating the cause of the horror crash. (Image: Getty)
Shortly after the pilot issued a mayday call and was forced to abort an attempt to land several minutes later.
When the jet landed on its second attempt, the undercarriage did not extend with other footage showing fuselage spewing sparks as it scraped along the runway.
After hitting the ground, the plane skidded off the tarmac, struck an embankment, and exploded.
Aviation experts have questioned how much impact a potential bird strike cited by authorities could have had in causing the crash, but little is known at this stage about what went so horribly wrong.
Passengers and crew had been flung out of the Boeing 737-800 slammed into the airport barrier and blew up, which the South Jeolla Fire Service said meant there was little chance of survival.
“The plane is almost completely destroyed, and identifying the deceased is proving difficult,” a spokesperson for the fire service said.
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The appalling incident occurred at 9.03am local time on Sunday, just after midnight UK time.
Jeju Air issued an apology, with officials bowing in front of cameras and vowing they would do all they can to help.
The low-cost carrier said in a statement: “We at Jeju Air will do everything in our power in response to this accident. We sincerely apologise for causing concern.”
In a statement on X, Boeing said it was in contact with Jeju Air and is ready to support the firm in dealing the the aftermath of the crash.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew,” Boeing said.