Aerial footage from Hiroshima airport in western Japan showed the localiser -- a large gate-like structure, six metres (18 feet) high that sits some distance from the start of the runway -- splintered, with debris spread towards the landing strip.
Sets of wheelmarks were visible on the grass area in front of the runway, while at least one large fragment of the localiser -- which aircraft use to find the landing strip -- was on the tarmac.
Those on board flight OZ162 from Incheon, near Seoul, to Hiroshima, spoke of terror and confusion.
"There was smoke coming out and some of the oxygen masks fell down. Cabin attendants were in such a panic and I thought 'we are going to die'," a woman told Japanese networks late yesterday.
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All 73 passengers and eight crew members had evacuated, and no one was killed, but 25 passengers and two crew members had been injured, Japanese officials said.
"The left side of the aircraft's horizontal tail was damaged... But how the accident occurred should be determined as the transport safety board carry out their investigation," he said.
The South Korean carrier said 18 passengers -- 14 Japanese, two Koreans and two Chinese -- had been hurt. Only one of them had to stay overnight in hospital. There was no explanation for the discrepancy between Asiana and the Japanese authorities.
"Asiana Airlines apologizes for causing concern to the passengers and the people over the accident," it said in a press statement.
"As to the determination of the cause of the accident, we will cooperate as closely as possible with the relevant authorities.