Did bird strike contribute to South Korea plane crash? What we know so far

A devastating plane crash at South Korea's Muan International Airport has left 179 people dead, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in the country’s history. The Jeju Air flight, carrying 181 passengers and crew, crashed on Sunday morning while attempting to land in challenging conditions.

Crash Details

The Boeing 737-800, operating as Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, was returning from Bangkok, Thailand. It veered off the runway during its landing at 9:00 AM local time (00:00 GMT) before colliding with a wall and bursting into flames. The flight had been instructed to delay landing due to a bird strike warning issued by air traffic control, officials said.

A mayday call from the pilot followed shortly after the bird strike alert, with permission granted to attempt landing from the opposite direction. Reports indicate that the aircraft attempted a belly landing, skidding along the runway before crashing into the wall. Eyewitnesses described hearing a "loud bang" followed by "a series of explosions."

A fire chief said the tail was identifiable but "one cannot recognise the shape of the rest of the plane"

Rescue and Recovery

Of the 181 people on board, 175 were passengers and six were crew members. Tragically, all passengers and four crew members perished. The two surviving crew members were found in the aircraft’s tail section and have been hospitalized.

Emergency services deployed over 1,500 personnel, including firefighters and police, to search the wreckage and surrounding areas. Authorities have recovered 88 bodies so far, with identification efforts ongoing. Among the victims were five children under the age of 10, the youngest being a three-year-old boy.

Potential Causes

Preliminary investigations suggest that a bird strike and adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the crash. Bird strikes are a known hazard in aviation, with birds potentially damaging engines or other critical components.

Experts have also noted that the Boeing 737-800’s turbofan engines can be particularly vulnerable to bird strikes. The head pilot of the flight had more than 6,800 hours of experience and had been in the role since 2019, according to South Korean transport authorities.

Flight and voice recorders have been recovered, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. Jeju Air's management has ruled out maintenance issues as a factor.

Impact on Families and Community

Families of the victims have gathered at Muan International Airport, waiting for news and grieving their losses. The airport has set up tents to provide privacy for the bereaved. Frustration is mounting over delays in identifying the deceased.

Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest budget airline, has issued an apology, with its CEO stating the company’s commitment to supporting victims’ families. The airline, founded in 2005, has no prior history of fatal accidents until this tragic incident.

National Mourning and Official Response

South Korea's Acting President Choi Sang-mok has declared a seven-day period of national mourning and designated Muan as a special disaster zone to unlock government funding for relief efforts. Flags at government offices will be lowered, and assistance is being provided to the families of the victims.

“I express my deepest condolences to the many victims of this tragedy,” Choi said. “We will do everything possible to ensure the injured recover quickly and support affected families.”

What is a Bird Strike?

A bird strike occurs when a plane collides with a bird in flight. These incidents are relatively common, though only a small percentage lead to significant damage or accidents.

One of the most famous bird strikes occurred in 2009 when a US Airways plane safely landed in the Hudson River after colliding with a flock of geese. In this case, all 155 people onboard survived.

Global Response

Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737-800, has offered its condolences to those affected by the crash. Aviation experts emphasize that this tragedy is a stark reminder of the many variables that can impact flight safety, from wildlife hazards to weather conditions.

This tragic event leaves a lasting mark on South Korea and the global aviation community, prompting renewed focus on safety protocols to prevent similar disasters in the future.