Ads
South Korea Jet Crash: Was it a Bird Strike? What We Know So Far
On a tragic Sunday morning, more than 170 passengers lost their lives when a jet crashed during landing in South Korea. The harrowing incident took place at Muan International Airport in the southwest, where a Jeju Air jet collided with a wall after veering off the runway. The jet, carrying 181 individuals on its return trip from Bangkok, Thailand, ended up in a devastating crash that claimed 179 lives and miraculously spared two passengers.
Initial reports suggest that a bird strike combined with severe weather conditions could have been contributing factors to the disaster, as per the statements of fire authorities. However, experts believe that multiple circumstances may have played a role in the tragic crash.
The ill-fated plane touched down in Muan around 9:00 am local time. A South Korean transport official revealed that the jet was attempting to land when air traffic control issued a warning about a potential bird strike. Subsequently, the pilot was forced to abort the landing. Just two minutes later, a distress call was made by the pilot, signaling an emergency situation. Air traffic control then directed the jet to land from the opposite direction.
Local media reported that a passenger onboard the flight sent a text to a relative mentioning that a bird had become lodged in the wing of the aircraft, hindering its ability to land safely. Disturbing footage shows the plane landing without its landing gear, skidding down the runway, colliding with a wall, and bursting into flames upon impact.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud bang followed by a series of explosions as the jet caught fire. Videos captured at the scene depict the aircraft engulfed in flames, with billows of smoke rising in the air. The inferno was eventually extinguished by firefighters, although the damage had been done.
During a press conference, Muan fire department commander Lee Jeong-hyun disclosed that only the tail of the jet was recognizable, as the rest of the plane’s shape was unidentifiable due to extensive damage. While initial investigations suggest a possible bird strike and adverse weather conditions as catalysts for the disaster, further inquiries are ongoing. The flight and voice recorders of the aircraft have been recovered for analysis.
Jeju Air’s CEO refuted any claims of maintenance issues contributing to the tragic crash, emphasizing the experienced lead pilot’s flight history of over 6,800 hours since taking charge in 2019.
What is a Bird Strike?
Bird strikes occur when an aircraft collides with a bird during flight. While such incidents are not uncommon, they can have catastrophic consequences. The Civil Aviation Authority reported over 1,400 bird strikes in the UK in 2022, with approximately 100 causing damage to airplanes. One of the most infamous bird strike incidents involved an Airbus jet crashing into New York’s Hudson River in 2009 after hitting a flock of geese, resulting in all 155 passengers and crew surviving the crash.
In a summertime article for The Conversation, CQUniversity Australia aviation professor Doug Drury highlighted the vulnerability of Boeing jets’ turbofan engines to bird strikes, stressing the importance of heightened vigilance among pilots, especially during peak bird activity periods in the mornings and evenings.
Passenger and Crew Details
The ill-fated flight had 175 passengers and six crew members on board, with two passengers being Thai nationals and the rest South Korean. Many of the passengers were likely returning from a Christmas vacation in Thailand, making the tragedy even more poignant.
This aviation disaster marks South Korea’s deadliest air crash to date, resulting in the loss of 179 lives, including all four crew members and passengers. Following the crash, at least 88 bodies have been recovered, with five victims being children under the age of 10. The passenger manifest confirmed that the youngest victim was a 3-year-old child, while the oldest was 78.
In a remarkable turn of events, a man and a woman onboard the aircraft managed to survive the crash. They were found in the tail section of the plane and promptly rushed to the hospital for treatment after the traumatic incident.
Recovery Efforts and Government Response
Nearly 1,500 emergency personnel, comprising 490 firefighters and 455 police officers, are involved in the ongoing recovery operations. They are meticulously scouring the runway for any remnants of the aircraft and locating passengers’ remains in a solemn and painstaking process.
In response to the devastating tragedy, Acting President Choi Sang-mok declared a special disaster zone in Muan, pledging central government assistance to the local authorities and bereaved families. All flights at Muan International Airport have been suspended in the aftermath of the crash.
Families of the crash victims have congregated at the airport, where authorities and relief organizations have set up numerous tents to provide privacy and support to those mourning their loved ones. Emotions ran high as grieving relatives awaited news and updates on the identified victims, with some expressing frustration over the slow progress in the identification process.
Jeju Air, the airline operator, issued an apology to the families affected by the tragedy, assuring them that there had been no previous incidents since the airline’s establishment in 2005. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, also extended its sympathies to the victims and their families.
Acting President Choi expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims of the crash and vowed to facilitate a swift recovery for the affected individuals. The government announced a national period of mourning, during which office flags would be lowered for seven days as a mark of respect for the lives lost in the tragic air disaster.
In conclusion, the South Korea jet crash has plunged the nation into mourning, as the tragic loss of 179 lives has left a profound impact on the country and the global aviation community. As investigations continue to unravel the causes behind the fatal crash, the focus remains on supporting the families of the victims and ensuring that such devastating incidents are prevented in the future through improved safety measures in air travel.
