Jeju Air Passenger Sends Chilling KakaoTalk Messages Minutes Before Fatal Crash

This article is part of our coverage of Jeju Air Flight 2216's Deadly Crash. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.

As rescue efforts continue at Muan International Airport after the horrific plane crash, News1 shared a picture of chilling messages from a passenger who was aboard the flight.

Bangkok-Korea Plane Crashes At Muan International Airport—179 Confirmed Dead

On December 29, 2024 (KST), around 9:07 AM, a Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people (175 passengers and 6 crew members) from Bangkok to Muan failed to land, resulting in numerous casualties. Korean news outlets have since reported that the aircraft was unable to deploy its landing gear—based on witness footage that shows the plane scraping across the runway, unable to reduce speed, before it veered off the runway, crashing into a wall.

Meanwhile, a family member of a passenger aboard the flight has come forward to share the last string of KakaoTalk messages they received. To News1, the family member mentioned that they have not been able to get in touch with the passenger since.

Passenger: We’re holding.

Passenger: A bird got stuck in the wing…

Family: Huh?

Passenger: …so we can’t land yet.

Family: Since when?

Passenger: Just now.

Passenger: Should I leave a will?

The chilling messages suggest that there was a “bird strike,” or an aviation term referring to a collision between an aircraft and one or more birds. However, nothing has been verified; Authorities at the crash site and other aviation experts are working on confirming the cause of the crash.

Meanwhile, updates from Muan International Airport have now confirmed at least 62 dead. A Yonhap news report has since quoted Jeonnam Fire Department stating that “Of the 181 people, 2 have been rescued, and the majority are presumed dead.”