According to News1, a passenger on the flight from Thailand to Muan International Airport on Sunday morning messaged a relative, stating that a bird was lodged in the plane's wing.
"Should I say my last words?" the passenger texted their relative, as reported by the outlet.
Video footage captured the terrifying scene of the twin-engine Boeing 737-800 skidding along the runway without functioning landing gear before colliding with a wall and bursting into flames.
Two crew members miraculously survived, but authorities believe all other individuals on board perished in the accident. The South Korean fire agency confirmed that the victims, comprising 85 women, 84 men, and 10 others who remain unidentified, lost their lives in the fire.
The two survivors were safely rescued and are reportedly in stable condition.
Officials stated that all passengers were South Korean nationals, with the exception of two Thai citizens.
A massive response team of 1,570 firefighters, police officers, soldiers, and other rescue personnel rushed to the crash site.
Disturbing footage vividly depicts the Boeing jet's explosion, showing the plane seemingly landing on its belly, with sparks and smoke billowing from the runway before the final impact and fiery explosion.
The aircraft had attempted an initial landing but was forced to abort and try again due to the landing gear malfunction.
Muan Fire Chief Lee Jeong-hyeon stated that officials are exploring various potential causes for the crash, including the possibility of a bird strike.
Transport Ministry officials revealed that the airport control tower had issued a bird strike warning to the plane shortly before its intended landing and granted the pilot permission to land in an alternative area.
The officials added that the pilot then transmitted a distress signal just before the plane overshot the runway, skidded across a buffer zone, and collided with the wall.
The plane's black box has been recovered and will undergo thorough examination as part of the investigation. Transport ministry officials further announced that the runway at Muan airport will remain closed until January 1.
