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South Korea jet crash: bird strike? Known thus far
The tragic crash of a jet in South Korea on Sunday morning has left more than 170 passengers dead. The incident took place at Muan International Airport in the southwest, where a Jeju Air jet crashed into a wall after departing from the runway. The jet, carrying 181 people and returning from Bangkok, Thailand, resulted in the loss of 179 lives, with only two individuals surviving the crash. The authorities have suggested that the crash may have been caused by a bird strike combined with severe weather conditions. Expert analysis indicates that multiple factors may have contributed to the disaster.
The plane was scheduled to land at Muan at around 09:00 local time. A South Korean transport official revealed that the jet was attempting to land but had to abort the landing after receiving a bird strike warning from air traffic control. Subsequently, the pilot declared a Mayday emergency call, and air traffic control permitted the jet to land from the opposite direction. Local media reported that a passenger on board had messaged a relative, stating that a bird was stuck in the wing, hindering the landing process. One footage showed the plane attempting to land without landing gear, sliding down the runway before crashing into a wall and catching fire.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing a loud bang followed by a series of explosions as the plane went up in flames. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire, but the jet sustained severe damage. In a press conference, the Muan fire department commander mentioned that while the jet’s tail was identifiable, the rest of the plane was unrecognizable due to the extensive damage. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with the potential bird strike and adverse weather conditions being primary areas of focus. The flight and voice recorders of the plane have been recovered for analysis.
Reports from Yonhap indicated that Jeju Air’s CEO denied any maintenance issues contributing to the tragedy. South Korean transport officials stated that the lead pilot of the flight had substantial flight experience, with over 6,800 hours logged, and had been in charge since 2019.
Bird strikes are a common occurrence in aviation, with aircraft colliding with birds while in flight. The Civil Aviation Authority reported over 1,400 bird strikes in the UK in 2022, with few resulting in harm to planes. Notably, the most famous bird strike incident occurred in 2009 when an Airbus jet crashed into the Hudson River in New York after hitting a flock of geese, with all passengers and crew surviving the ordeal.
The tragic crash claimed the lives of 175 passengers and six crew members, with only two survivors, who were identified as Thai nationals. Most of the passengers were South Korean, likely returning from a holiday in Thailand. This incident marked South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster, with 179 fatalities and only a handful of survivors, including a 3-year-old child and a 78-year-old passenger.
The response to the crash has been swift, with a special disaster zone established in Muan to offer support to the victims’ families and coordinate recovery efforts. All flights at Muan International Airport have been canceled, and investigative teams are meticulously combing through the wreckage to recover passengers’ remains and vital aircraft components.
The families of the victims have gathered at the airport, where emotional scenes unfolded as authorities slowly identified the deceased. Jeju Air expressed their heartfelt apologies to the families and assured them that this tragic incident is an isolated event in the airline’s history. Boeing also expressed their condolences, while South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, extended his sympathies to the victims and pledged government support during the national mourning period.
As the investigation continues into the cause of the crash, the aviation community is left grappling with the tragic loss of life and the aftermath of this devastating event. The implications of bird strikes and severe weather conditions on flight safety will undoubtedly be scrutinized, with measures likely to be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. The memory of those lost in this tragedy will forever be honored, as the aviation industry strives to enhance safety protocols and mitigate risks to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew worldwide.
