Eyewitness accounts of Sunday’s fatal plane crash describe engine flames and explosions, according to reports.

A plane veered off the runway at Muan International Airport, approximately 190 miles south of Seoul, colliding with a concrete barrier, resulting in at least 176 fatalities, the Associated Press reported, citing South Korea’s National Fire Agency (NFA).

Investigators are examining a potential landing gear malfunction possibly triggered by a bird strike, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Videos depict the aircraft attempting a landing without its landing gear deployed.

The flight, carrying 181 individuals, crashed around 9:03 a.m. local time. Emergency responders rescued two conscious crew members with non-life-threatening injuries; three others remain unaccounted for.

South Korea’s Transport Ministry identified the aircraft as a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 returning from Bangkok.

“We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand ready to support them,” Boeing stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.”

Witness Yoo Jae-yong (41) reported seeing a spark on the plane’s right wing prior to the incident, according to Yonhap News Agency.

“I alerted my family to the plane’s problem just before a loud explosion,” Yoo recounted.

Another witness, identified only as Cho, described observing the crash from approximately 2.8 miles away.

“I saw the plane descending, initially thinking it was landing, then noticed a flash. A loud bang followed, with smoke and subsequent explosions,” Cho stated.

Kim Yong-cheol (70) said the plane made an unsuccessful landing attempt, circling back before the crash. He recalled a “metallic scraping” sound twice, approximately five minutes prior, followed by the plane ascending, then a “loud explosion” and “black smoke.”

A 50-year-old witness, identified as Jung, witnessed a bird flock colliding with the plane, igniting the right engine.

“As the plane landed, it struck birds approaching from the opposite direction,” he explained. “I heard two or three bangs, like birds being sucked into the engine, before seeing flames from the right engine.”

Kerati Kijmanawat, Airports of Thailand’s director, confirmed the plane’s departure from Bangkok without incident.

Jeju Air issued a statement expressing “deep apologies” and pledging to manage the accident’s aftermath.