Shocking Emergency Landings in South Korea: Asiana, Korean Air, and Lufthansa Face Heart-Stopping In-Flight Crises!

Published on December 19, 2025

Emergency landings in South Korea between January 2022 and November 2025 have involved both civilian and military aircraft, with key incidents highlighting aviation safety procedures. Notable events include the F-35A belly landing in January 2022 due to avionics system issues, which was a rare military emergency. In the civilian sector, Asiana Airlines experienced a major incident in May 2023 when a passenger opened an emergency exit door during flight, but the aircraft landed safely without injuries. Another significant event occurred on September 20, 2023, when an Airbus A330-900 returned to Incheon due to unreliable airspeed indicators, prompting a safe, overweight landing. On August 17, 2024, a Lufthansa A350 from Seoul to Tokyo was forced to return to Incheon after a hydraulic failure. Additionally, Korean Air had a pressurization issue on Flight KE189 in June 2024, causing an emergency return. In June 2025, a bomb threat on Lufthansa Flight LH752 resulted in a return to Incheon. These events highlight South Korea’s proactive response to aviation safety risks and the importance of timely intervention by crew and authorities to ensure passenger safety.

January 2022 – military F‑35A belly landing

On 4 January 2022 a Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F‑35A was conducting a training mission when cockpit indicators signalled an avionic system fault. The pilot elected to perform a gear‑up landing at Seosan Air Base, about 151 km southwest of Seoul. Prior to touchdown, firefighting crews sprayed foam on the runway to reduce the risk of fire. The pilot landed the jet on its belly at 12:51 p.m., slid to a stop and evacuated without injuries[1]. The aircraft sustained minor damage. According to official reports, the ROKAF temporarily grounded its fleet of F‑35As while a joint investigation with the manufacturer examined the cause of the avionic failure[2].

May 2023 – passenger opens emergency door on approach to Daegu

On 26 May 2023 an Asiana Airlines Airbus A321 operating a one‑hour domestic flight from Jeju Island to Daegu encountered an unusual emergency. As the aircraft descended toward Daegu and was around 700 feet (213 m) above ground, a passenger seated near an over‑wing exit opened the emergency door. Cabin pressure differential was minimal at that low altitude, allowing the door to be pulled open[3]. A rush of air blasted into the cabin, causing passengers’ hair to whip around and some to experience ear pain or temporary breathing difficulty[3]. The flight crew maintained control and landed the aircraft safely. According to officials, twelve passengers suffered minor injuries[4]. The Transport Ministry later confirmed that 200 people were aboard, including teenage athletes. Following the incident, Asiana Airlines suspended sales of emergency‑exit seats on its A321 fleet[5]. The passenger, a 33‑year‑old man, was arrested and charged with violating aviation security laws.

June 2024 – pressurization failure on KE189 returning to Incheon

On 22 June 2024 Korean Air flight KE189, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, departed Incheon for Taichung, Taiwan carrying 125 passengers. Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, while cruising over Jeju Island, the flight crew noticed a malfunction in the cabin pressurization system. Oxygen masks dropped and the aircraft descended rapidly from about 9,100 m to 2,700 m to stabilise cabin pressure[6]. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, at least two passengers suffered nosebleeds and 15 more experienced ear pain or hyperventilation; 13 travellers were treated at hospitals after landing but none had serious injuries[7]. The crew returned to Incheon and landed at 7:38 p.m. The airline provided a replacement flight the next morning and apologised for the incident while maintenance teams investigated the pressurization fault[8].

December 2024 – Jeju Air belly‑landing crash at Muan

The most devastating aviation emergency in modern South‑Korean history occurred on 29 December 2024. Jeju Air flight JC‑2216 (also published as flight 2216), a Boeing 737‑800 returning from Bangkok to Muan International Airport, encountered a flock of birds while on approach. Air‑traffic controllers had issued a bird‑strike warning moments earlier. Pilots reported a bird strike and decided to perform a belly landing after experiencing engine vibrations and indications of hydraulic problems[9]. The aircraft approached without lowering its landing gear, touched down on its belly and overshot the runway, colliding with a concrete embankment housing navigation antennas[10]. The impact ruptured fuel tanks, causing a fire and explosion that destroyed the fuselage. Out of 181 people on board, 179 were killed; only two crew members survived[10]. Investigations were launched by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) with assistance from Boeing and international agencies. Preliminary findings indicated duck remains in both engines and raised questions about why the crew did not deploy the landing gear. In the aftermath, South Korea’s acting president ordered an emergency inspection of all airlines and a review of the nation’s 101 Boeing 737‑800 aircraft[9]. Authorities also examined whether the concrete localiser structure should have been designed to yield upon impact[11]. The crash prompted a week of national mourning and sparked debates about bird‑strike mitigation and airport infrastructure.

January 2025 – Air Busan evacuation at Busan

On 28 January 2025 an Air Busan Airbus A321 preparing for departure from Gimhae International Airport in Busan experienced a fire near its tail while at the gate. Fire services were alerted just before 10:30 p.m. Emergency slides were deployed and all 169 passengers and seven crew members evacuated the aircraft; three people sustained minor injuries during the evacuation[12]. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, but video footage showed smoke and damage to the upper fuselage. The incident occurred one month after the Muan crash, intensifying public concern about aviation safety. Authorities launched an investigation into the source of the fire, and Air Busan temporarily suspended operations of the affected aircraft. Although this was not an in‑flight landing, the rapid evacuation and response at a South‑Korean airport qualify it as an emergency event during the review period.

June 2025 – Asiana flight returns after engine failure

On the evening of 21 June 2025, Asiana Airlines flight OZ108, an Airbus A330‑300, departed Incheon bound for Narita, Japan with 239 passengers and 24 transit passengers on board. Shortly after take‑off an explosion‑like sound and flames were observed from the aircraft’s left engine[13]. The crew declared a full emergency and initiated a return to Incheon. The Seoul Regional Office of Aviation activated its emergency response plan; firefighting units were dispatched to the runway. The aircraft landed safely about one hour after departure[14], and all passengers were evacuated without injury[15]. Asiana Airlines later stated that preliminary assessments pointed to a malfunction in the No. 1 engine and that the aircraft would remain grounded until thorough inspections were completed[16]. Passengers were accommodated overnight and rebooked on subsequent flights[15].

Discussion

The emergencies described above reveal several patterns. Technical malfunctions were responsible for the majority of incidents: the F‑35A’s avionic failure, the Korean Air pressurization fault, the Asiana A330 engine failure and the Air Busan ground fire each underscore the importance of maintenance and systems monitoring[2][7][16]. Wildlife hazards played a central role in the Jeju Air disaster; despite warnings, the bird strike led to catastrophic engine damage and contributed to the decision to perform a gear‑up landing[17]. The subsequent collision with a rigid localiser structure magnified the consequences, prompting calls for redesigned airport infrastructure[11]. Human factors also influenced outcomes: the 2023 Asiana incident shows that passenger behaviour can create unanticipated emergencies[3], while the Jeju Air crash investigation raised questions about crew decision‑making during high‑stress situations. The Korean Air depressurization event illustrates how prompt crew actions and oxygen mask deployment can prevent injuries even during rapid descents[6].

In response to these events, South Korea’s aviation authorities undertook multiple safety initiatives. The temporary grounding of ROKAF F‑35As allowed investigators to identify and rectify avionic issues[2]. Following the Jeju Air crash, the government ordered comprehensive inspections of all airlines and Boeing 737‑800 aircraft, and considered modifications to navigation structures[9]. Airlines improved internal policies: Asiana halted the sale of emergency‑exit seats on A321 aircraft[5], and Korean Air pledged cooperation with regulators following the pressurization incident. These measures highlight an evolving safety culture that emphasises transparency and proactive risk management.

Reference list

1. Report on the ROKAF F‑35A emergency landing describing the avionic failure, foam‑covered runway and suspension of the fleet[2].
2. Account of the May 2023 Asiana Airlines flight where a passenger opened the emergency door, including Transport Ministry and airline details about altitude and injuries[3][5].
3. Government and airline statements on the Korean Air flight KE189 depressurization event, covering the rapid descent, passenger injuries and investigation[6].
4. Official descriptions of the Jeju Air belly‑landing crash at Muan, the subsequent national response and safety inspections[9][10].
5. Report on the Air Busan aircraft fire at Busan airport, detailing the evacuation and injuries[12].
6. Coverage of the June 2025 Asiana Airlines flight that returned to Incheon after an engine failure, including emergency response and airline statements[13][14][16].