Following the devastating Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea, where a Boeing 737-800 tragically claimed the lives of 179 people, significant investigations into aviation safety protocols are underway.

The crash occurred on December 30, 2024, as the aircraft carrying 181 individuals was landing at Muan International Airport when it veered off the runway, hitting a wall and bursting into flames, marking it as South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades. Only two crew members, identified as flight attendants surnamed Lee and Koo, managed to survive the incident; Lee, a 33-year-old, is now awake and communicating with medical staff, displaying no life-threatening injuries. His condition reflects a cautious recovery from significant fractures, while Koo, aged 25, is reported to be stable despite her injuries.

As investigations into the cause of the crash progress, officials are analyzing more than 100 Boeing 737-800 models currently in operation across South Korea. The extensive investigation will include a thorough review of the aircraft's maintenance history, landing gear, and operational logs, according to the country’s transport ministry. Officials have confirmed there are no plans to suspend operations of these aircraft, but heightened inspections are set to take place.

The market reaction to the crash has been notable, with Boeing's shares falling over 4% following the incident and ongoing investigations. The stock downturn coincided with a broader slump in the stock market, where indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 also experienced declines in early trading. This development marks another challenging chapter for Boeing, particularly after their recent struggles with other aircraft models.

The crash led South Korean authorities to recover the flight’s black boxes from the wreckage, and investigators, including members from Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, are assisting local officials with the inquiry, detailed here.

Mourners continue to gather as the nation mourns the lives lost. At this time, as investigators work on identifying the deceased, the tragedy has drawn attention to the need for rigorous safety protocols in aviation operations.

As developments unfold, updates on the survivor's condition and the investigation’s findings will be closely monitored, reinforcing the critical discussion on air travel safety.