New Delhi: A series of deadly plane crashes in December has raised serious concerns about aviation safety, equipment failures and operational protocols. The deadliest crash occurred on December 24 when a Jeju Air passenger plane, returning from Bangkok, crashed at Muan Airport in South Korea. The aircraft lost control after its front landing gear failed to deploy, skidding off the runway and slamming into a concrete fence.
A devastating fire ensued, killing at least 177 people out of the 181 on board. Emergency responders, including 32 fire trucks and helicopters, worked to contain the fire, with two survivors— a crew member and a passenger—rescued from the wreckage. The cause of the landing gear failure is under investigation. This marks the first fatal crash for Jeju Air, which has otherwise had a solid safety record since its founding in 2005.
Kazakhstan crash
On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190AR crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 passengers. The plane, which had been diverted due to technical issues and poor weather, made several failed landing attempts before crashing. The Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport suggested that military disruptions in the region, possibly including drone activity, could have affected the flight. Dense fog worsened the conditions.
Brazil and Papua New Guinea accident
On December 22, a private plane in Brazil crashed in Gramado, killing ten members of a family, including businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi and his relatives. The aircraft struck multiple structures during its descent, injuring 17 people on the ground. Also on December 22, a Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander crashed in Papua New Guinea, killing all five people on board. Investigators are looking into the cause, with the wreckage found the next day.
Argentina and Hawai fatalities
In Argentina, a Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 300 crashed near San Fernando Airport, killing both pilots after overshooting the runway and colliding with a fence and tree. Investigations focus on whether the runway was too short for the aircraft. In Hawaii, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan crashed on December 17, killing both pilots after it lost control during a training flight near Honolulu.
