'Passenger Plane Disaster' Video Informant: "Flying at an Unusually Low Altitude... Can't Forget the Accident Scene"

"Too shocked to accept reality"
"Hope the video helps clarify the cause of the accident"

The owner of a restaurant who filmed the video of the Jeju Air passenger plane crash at Muan International Airport, which spread not only throughout Korea but also worldwide, expressed sorrow while describing the tense situation at the time of the accident.

Lee Geun-young (49), who runs a restaurant near Muan International Airport, said in an interview with 'Yonhap News' on the 31st about the passenger plane disaster on the 29th, "It just shouldn't have flown like that; it was unusually strange."

Lee's restaurant is located about 300 to 400 meters from the airport runway. Having operated the restaurant there for seven years, Lee has seen airplanes take off and land dozens of times a day. However, on the day of the accident, the aircraft flew at an unusually low altitude.

Firefighters are searching for belongings at the site of the Jeju Air passenger plane collision and explosion accident that occurred at Muan International Airport, Jeonnam, 30 days ago. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The passenger plane passed over the restaurant and made a turn, then attempted to land from the opposite direction (north to south), which is not the usual landing direction. Finding this strange, Lee immediately took his mobile phone and went up to the rooftop to film the plane.

The passenger plane rapidly lowered its altitude, and at the moment it touched the runway asphalt, a loud noise was heard. The plane collided with the runway and continued straight for about 10 seconds before crashing over the runway onto a concrete embankment, causing an explosion. The front part of the fuselage shattered into pieces instantly, with parts flying into the air, and fierce flames erupted.

Lee told the media, "I was so shocked that I wanted to deny reality," adding, "The heat from the flames was so intense it felt like it was touching my face." The footage he filmed at the time was reported not only by domestic media but also worldwide, revealing the horrific situation during the disaster.

Having witnessed the disaster from start to finish, he said, "I thought it would be quickly forgotten, but it is not," and added, "I heard there were many family travelers, and since I have a daughter, I can understand the devastating feelings."

He continued, "Once my mind settles down, I plan to visit the memorial altar to pay respects," and added, "I hope the footage I provided will help clarify the cause of the accident."