MUAN COUNTY, South Korea – The investigation into the tragic South Korea plane crash has intensified as authorities rush to determine the cause of the disaster that killed 179 people on board. As families mourn, new questions are being raised regarding the airport's safety measures and the circumstances surrounding the crash.

On a fateful Sunday, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 individuals, encountered disaster shortly after initiating its landing at Muan International Airport. The aircraft belly-landed, skidded off the runway, and erupted into flames, claiming the lives of all but two passengers. In response to this catastrophic event, acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered a nationwide review of aviation safety protocols across South Korea’s airline operations (source: USA Today).

The crash raised immediate concerns with investigations revolving around the possibility of a bird strike. While experts consider this an aspect of the investigation, they doubt it alone could have hindered the pilot’s ability to lower the landing gear. Aviation specialists are analyzing whether any control systems might have malfunctioned, which would explain why the aircraft attempted a "belly landing" shortly after declaring an emergency.

In the wake of the disaster, many victims, including local holidaymakers returning from Thailand, have been identified, with rapid DNA analysis employed to expedite the process for the remaining victims. Authorities are under significant pressure from grieving families at the airport, who are demanding swift answers and transparency from officials (source: The Guardian).

Adding to the complexity of the investigation is scrutiny over the airport’s infrastructure, particularly the embankment located just 250 meters from the runway's end. Aviation experts criticize this design, pointing out that industry best practices dictate no hard structures, like embankments, should exist within 300 meters of a runway's terminus. In response, South Korean officials maintain that the structures complied with existing regulations and are standard in airports globally (source: USA Today).

In addition to the investigation, Choi has launched an emergency safety check of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft currently in South Korea, highlighting the urgent need to ensure passenger safety moving forward. This national incident has even greater implications due to its occurring shortly after the recent impeachment of the country’s president, posing challenges to the newly appointed acting leader during a sensitive time for the nation.

As the inquiry progresses, members from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing have arrived to lend their expertise. The damaged flight data recorder from the aircraft is yet to yield usable data, complicating the investigation's efforts. The cockpit voice recorder appears in better shape, potentially offering vital clues as the investigation unfolds (source: The Guardian).

As families await closure amidst their grief, the spotlight is firmly placed on ensuring that transparency is prioritized by officials throughout both the investigation and the processes that follow. The heart-wrenching echoes of past aviation disasters, like the Sewol ferry sinking, loom large and amplify the public’s demand for accountability.