Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

What Does a “Mayday” Really Mean? Inside the Final Moments of Jeju Air’s Doomed Flight

wikitree Views  

What does the “Mayday” declared by the Jeju Air pilot in the Muan Airport accident mean?

According to Yonhap News, the Jeju Air passenger plane involved in the accident on Sunday departed from Bangkok, Thailand, at approximately 1:30 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive at Muan Airport at around 8:30 a.m.

The Jeju Air plane failed to land on the runway at its scheduled arrival time and attempted a belly landing due to a malfunctioning landing gear, which caused the accident.

The Muan Airport control tower warned the plane of bird activity (bird strikes) at around 8:54 a.m. on the same day. At approximately 8:59 a.m., the distressed plane’s pilot declared a “Mayday” to the control tower.

The plane attempted to land on Runway 19 at 9:00 a.m., the opposite direction of the intended initially Runway 01. About three minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., the aircraft landed on the runway without its landing gear deployed and subsequently crashed, according to investigations.

The Mayday Jeju Air pilot declared just before the accident is an international emergency distress signal used for aircraft and other situations.

Mayday originates from the French phrase “venez m’aider,” which means “come and help me.” The latter part of the phrase, “m’aider,” was anglicized to become Mayday.

When a pilot declares a Mayday during a flight, air traffic controllers immediately prioritize the aircraft for landing, granting it precedence over other traffic.

The aircraft involved in the accident was a B737-800. At the time, 181 people were onboard, including 175 passengers, four cabin crew members, and two pilots. Of the 175 passengers, 173 were South Koreans, and two were Thai nationals. The accident resulted in the deaths of 179 passengers and injuries to two individuals, making it the worst aviation disaster in South Korean history in terms of casualties.

Scene of the Jeju Air passenger plane crash at Muan Airport. The pilot of the distressed plane declared Mayday. / News1
Scene of the Jeju Air passenger plane crash at Muan Airport. The pilot of the distressed plane declared Mayday. / News1
wikitree
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[DEBATE] Latest Stories

  • Model 3's Struggles: 1 in 4 Fail Safety Inspections in Denmark and Germany
  • Xiaomi’s Success vs. Apple’s Failure: What’s the Difference?
  • Trump Defends Tesla, Promises Action Against Violent Attacks
  • Ford's Bold Move: Will the Mustang Evolve into a Sedan with the Mach 4 Name?
  • Revival of the Estima? Toyota’s Sienna May Re-enter Japan's Market
  • Kia’s EV9 Recalled in the U.S. Over Powertrain Concerns

You May Also Like

  • 1
    This Celebrity Lost 7kg—and Her Diet Includes ...

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Red vs. White Wine: Which Is Riskier for Cancer? New Study Has the Answer

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Breakfast vs. Dinner: Which Meal Should You Load Up On for Better Health?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Eat More Greens—But Skip the Fake Stuff, Scientists Warn

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Veggies vs. IBD: New Research Says the Right Diet Might Be a Game-Changer

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Eli Lilly Moves First in India, Beats Novo in Obesity Drug Showdown

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 2
    Trump’s Soda Button and 12-Can Habit: A Recipe for Trouble?

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 3
    New FDA-Approved Pill Targets Constant Hunger in Children with PWS

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 4
    Too Much Exercise Might Not Help You Live Longer, Says New Study

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 5
    Novo Nordisk Just Bought the Next Big Thing in Weight Loss

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

Must-Reads

  • 1
    This Celebrity Lost 7kg—and Her Diet Includes ...

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Red vs. White Wine: Which Is Riskier for Cancer? New Study Has the Answer

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Breakfast vs. Dinner: Which Meal Should You Load Up On for Better Health?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Eat More Greens—But Skip the Fake Stuff, Scientists Warn

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Veggies vs. IBD: New Research Says the Right Diet Might Be a Game-Changer

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Eli Lilly Moves First in India, Beats Novo in Obesity Drug Showdown

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Trump’s Soda Button and 12-Can Habit: A Recipe for Trouble?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    New FDA-Approved Pill Targets Constant Hunger in Children with PWS

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Too Much Exercise Might Not Help You Live Longer, Says New Study

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Novo Nordisk Just Bought the Next Big Thing in Weight Loss

    LIFESTYLE