Investigators have uncovered bird feathers and traces of blood in both engines of the Jeju Air jet that crashed in South Korea last month, killing 179 people, a source close to the probe revealed on Friday.
The Boeing 737-800 was en route from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan County in southwestern South Korea when it belly-landed, overshot the runway at Muan International Airport, and burst into flames after hitting an embankment. Only two crew members at the tail end of the plane survived what has become the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil.
Bird Strike Alert Before Crash
South Korean authorities confirmed that about four minutes before the crash, one of the pilots reported a bird strike and declared an emergency. The pilot attempted a go-around and aimed to land on the opposite end of the runway.
Just two minutes before the Mayday call, air traffic control had warned the flight crew of increased bird activity in the area.
Key Findings and Challenges
Initial investigations revealed feathers on one of the recovered engines and video evidence suggesting a bird strike. The discovery of feathers and blood in both engines underscores the likelihood of dual-engine failure, a rare but catastrophic occurrence in aviation.
However, the investigation faces challenges. Both of the aircraft’s black boxes stopped recording data approximately four minutes before the crash, which experts say could indicate a complete power loss, including backups—a highly unusual scenario.
Rare Dual Bird Strikes in Aviation
While bird strikes affecting both engines are uncommon, they have occurred before. Notable incidents include:
- The 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson”, where Captain Chesley Sullenberger safely landed a bird-stricken plane on the Hudson River without fatalities.
- A 2019 emergency landing in Russia, where a jet successfully landed in a cornfield after hitting a flock of birds.
Ongoing Investigation
South Korea’s transport ministry has declined to comment on the findings, and further analysis of the wreckage continues. The investigation aims to establish whether power loss, bird strikes, or a combination of factors led to the tragic crash.