Tragic Last Moments: Heroic Captain of Jeju Air Flight Captured in Heartbreaking Video

The final moments of the captain of the ill-fated Jeju Air flight, which crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, have been captured in distressing footage, adding to the heartbreak of the tragedy.

On Sunday, Jeju Air flight 7C2216 from Bangkok attempted an emergency landing at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. The aircraft collided with a structure at the end of the runway, causing a catastrophic explosion that engulfed the plane in flames.

The disaster claimed the lives of 179 out of the 181 passengers and crew members aboard, while two others sustained injuries.

Following the release of video footage from the accident, one internet user shared a poignant comment: “The captain tried to stop the plane until the very last moment. He did his utmost, with his hands on the cockpit panel until the end.”

The footage shows the captain extending his arm inside the cockpit, seemingly reaching for the overhead panel above him. This further underscores his desperate efforts to regain control of the aircraft.

This emotional post resonated deeply with many online users. Commenters expressed their sympathy and admiration by saying, “Even as someone with no aviation knowledge, the belly landing looked so controlled.” “He must have poured all his experience into doing his best. ” “My heart aches for the explosion that occurred without any chance to react.”

Veteran Captain with 6,823 Flight Hours: His Intense Final Four Minutes

The captain of the ill-fated Jeju Air flight has been identified as Han. A former Air Force officer, Han joined Jeju Air in 2014 after completing his military service as a commissioned officer.

Han was promoted to captain in March 2019 and had 6,823 hours of flight experience at the time of the accident.

Industry experts highlight that pilots with 13 to 14 years of experience at low-cost carriers (LCCs) typically log around 7,000 hours of flight time. This suggests Han was a seasoned and capable pilot who had flown without significant issues throughout his career.

Han was well-regarded by his colleagues for his strong flying skills, further underlining the tragic nature of the incident.

At 8:59 AM, Han reported a bird strike. Shortly after, flames were seen coming from the right engine, and the aircraft began veering off course. The crew focused on making an emergency landing on the opposite runway.

The released footage reveals that the flaps, spoilers (important devices that assist with braking), and landing gear—all crucial to a safe landing—failed to deploy properly.

Experts speculate that both engines may have failed for unknown reasons, likely causing the aircraft’s hydraulic systems to stop functioning as well.

At 9:01 AM, while the engines were unresponsive, communication between the flight crew and air traffic control remained intact. The captain and first officer worked together, focusing on preventing a crash. They manually maneuvered the aircraft to line up with the opposite runway for a final approach.

At 9:03 AM, the plane aligned with the runway as planned, but the landing gear tragically failed to deploy. After performing a belly landing, the aircraft collided with a concrete structure, leading to an explosion that ultimately engulfed the plane in flames.