On the 30th, it was reported that a passenger plane from Jeju Air, heading to Jeju, had to return due to issues with its landing gear (wheels used during takeoff and landing) after departing from Gimpo Airport. The aircraft is of the same model as the Jeju Air plane that was involved in an accident the previous day at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do.
According to the airline industry, at 6:37 a.m. on the same day, the Jeju Air flight 7C101 to Jeju, which departed from Gimpo Airport, discovered a landing gear issue immediately after takeoff and returned, landing back at Gimpo Airport at 7:25 a.m. Afterward, 21 passengers opted not to board the flight due to discomfort. Jeju Air transferred the remaining passengers to an alternative flight of the same model, which took off for Jeju again at 8:30 a.m.
The landing gear serves as the wheels used during landing to reduce the impact upon landing while also acting as brakes. In the previous day's incident, the failure of the landing gear to function properly has been identified as a major cause of the accident. Both the aircraft involved in the accident and the one that returned on this day are Boeing B737-800s. Jeju Air operates 39 out of its 41 aircraft in this model.
A representative from Jeju Air noted, "We are gathering specific details, but it is true that an aircraft of the same model as the one involved in the accident returned." They also mentioned, "We plan to replace the aircraft for the flight." Jeju Air is scheduled to fully refund the passengers who voluntarily disembarked and provide compensation for the delay to the remaining passengers.