Jeju Layover Crew Member's Letter Gains Attention
"Shocked and Saddened by the Accident News"
"Hope They Rest in Peace"
One day ago, citizens left memorial messages on the stairs of the passenger terminal 1st floor at Muan International Airport, Jeonnam. Photo by Yonhap News
At Jeonnam Muan International Airport, where handwritten letters commemorating the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster are densely posted, messages from the captain and a fellow crew member who worked with him are drawing attention.
On the 1st, a handwritten letter from Captain B, who piloted the passenger plane, and crew member A, who shared a layover in Jeju, was revealed on an online community. A layover refers to staying within 24 hours at a transit or transfer point after boarding a plane before departing.
A said, "Hello Captain. When I was at Jeju Air, I was always impressed by how kind and gentle you were in taking care of your colleagues." He continued, "I cannot express how shocked and saddened I was to hear the news of the accident," and expressed his heartfelt feelings, saying, "Captain, First Officer, Purser, and crew members, thank you for doing your best to ensure the safety of the passengers until the very end." Furthermore, he added, "Since we lost such wonderful people, those of us who remain deeply mourn and will pray and pray that you rest in peaceful repose," concluding with, "We will never forget you. Please rest in peace."
Firefighters are searching for belongings at the site of the Jeju Air passenger plane collision and explosion accident that occurred 30 days ago at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
Earlier, on the 29th of last month, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, departing from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand, attempted a belly landing (landing with the aircraft body sliding on the runway without the landing gear deployed) on the runway at Muan Airport with the landing gear not extended. However, after about 10 seconds, the plane veered approximately 300 meters off the runway and collided with a concrete outer wall, causing a loud crash and the aircraft to break apart, with most of the fuselage engulfed in flames. The passenger plane was carrying a total of 181 people, including 175 passengers and 6 crew members. According to the Fire Agency’s tally, 179 people died and 2 were rescued. As a result, the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster remains the deadliest aviation accident in South Korea.
Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and others, Captain B is a former Air Force officer who joined Jeju Air in 2014. He was promoted to captain in March 2019, with a total flight time of 6,823 hours and approximately 2,500 hours as a captain. A Ministry official explained, "While it is true that the pilot’s fault is under investigation, we disclosed his career because unfounded rumors such as lack of qualifications have been circulating."
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