Seoul, South Korea — A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 bound for Jeju Island was forced to return to Seoul’s Gimpo International Airport on Monday morning after experiencing a landing gear malfunction shortly after takeoff.
Flight 7C101 departed from Gimpo International Airport at 6:37 a.m. local time with 161 passengers on board. Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew detected an issue with the aircraft’s landing gear. Prioritizing passenger safety, the pilot informed everyone on board of the situation and decided to return to Gimpo.
The aircraft landed safely at 7:25 a.m., and no injuries were reported. Passengers were transferred to a replacement plane to continue their journey to Jeju.
“Our team acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all passengers,” a Jeju Air spokesperson said. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused and are conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft.”
Passengers praised the crew’s professionalism during the incident. “The staff kept us calm and informed throughout the whole process,” one traveler noted.
Jeju Air technicians are investigating the cause of the malfunction. Aviation authorities have been notified and will oversee the inspection to ensure all safety protocols are met.
The incident highlights the importance of strict maintenance and safety checks in the aviation industry, especially with high-frequency routes like Seoul to Jeju.
Reference(s):
Another Jeju Air Boeing 737 jet experiences landing-gear issue
cgtn.com
