SEOUL: South Korean authorities have intensified their investigation into the crash of a Boeing 737-800 at Muan International Airport, which resulted in the deaths of 179 passengers and crew. Officials are primarily focusing on the possibility of a bird strike as the cause of the accident.
According to Anadolu Agency, the investigation into the crash, which occurred on Sunday, has been complicated by the damage to the flight data recorder. The device is crucial for understanding the events leading up to the crash. Muan International Airport, located 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul, is near a habitat for migrating birds, prompting concerns about bird strikes. In response to the tragedy, South Korea has declared a period of national mourning and canceled nearly all New Year events.
The majority of the victims, 157 out of 179, hailed from the Gwangju metropolitan area and South Jeolla province. Two victims were from Thailand, the plane's departure point before arriving in South Korea. Authorities have successfully identified 141 of the deceased. Notably, a passenger and a crew member were rescued from the tail section of the aircraft, which collided with the airport's wall.
This incident marks the deadliest aviation disaster involving a domestic carrier, Jeju Air, in South Korea since a Korean Air crash in Guam in 1997 that claimed 225 lives. Before the crash, the Jeju Air pilot reportedly informed air traffic control of a bird strike. Furthermore, it was disclosed that only one individual was on duty for bird strike prevention at the time of the accident.
South Korean investigators are receiving assistance from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing officials. There are plans to send the flight data recorder to the National Transportation Safety Board in the U.S. for decryption.
Initial findings suggested a failure in all three landing gears. A 2020 government-commissioned report, cited by the Korea Herald, had previously warned about the bird strike risks at Muan International Airport, recommending measures to mitigate these dangers.
On Monday, another Jeju Air flight returned to the airport shortly after departure due to a similar landing gear issue; fortunately, all passengers were safe. In response, authorities have mandated inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airlines.