Boeing 737-800, the model that crashed in South Korea, is one of the world's most popular aircraft

Core Viewpoint - An emergency inspection of Boeing 737-800 aircraft has been ordered in South Korea following a fatal crash involving Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, raising concerns about the safety of this widely used aircraft model [1][10]. Group 1: Incident Details - The aircraft involved in the crash was approximately 15 years old and had been delivered to Jeju Air in 2017, previously operated by Ryanair [2]. - The crash resulted in the death of 179 out of 181 passengers, marking it as South Korea's worst air disaster in decades [10]. - Investigators are exploring various theories, including a potential bird strike that may have disabled the engines [3]. Group 2: Aircraft Specifications and Safety Record - The Boeing 737-800 is one of the most commonly used airplanes globally, comprising about 17% of the world's in-service commercial passenger jet fleet, with nearly 4,400 units in operation [4]. - The average age of the global 737-800 fleet is 13 years, with the last deliveries occurring about five years ago [11]. - Aerospace experts believe it is unlikely that a design flaw will be identified in the long-serving aircraft [5][8]. Group 3: Investigation Process - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, which includes teams from Boeing and the FAA, as the aircraft was manufactured and certified in the U.S. [6]. - A full investigation may take over a year, and questions remain regarding why the landing gear was not deployed during the incident [12]. - Under international protocols, the country where the accident occurred will lead the investigation [13].