Seoul: Following a tragic plane crash in South Korea that resulted in the loss of 179 lives, investigators are closely examining a range of potential causes, with initial reports focusing on the possibility of a bird strike. The crash occurred at Muan International Airport involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, and experts are now debating whether a bird strike alone could have triggered such a catastrophic event.
According to Anadolu Agency, local authorities are investigating the likelihood that a bird strike might have contributed to the crash. A Jeju Air pilot reportedly informed air traffic control that the aircraft encountered a bird strike prior to the incident. However, specialists in aviation are considering additional factors that may have compounded the situation. Marco Chan, a lecturer in aviation operations at Buckinghamshire New University, highlighted that while the bird strike could be a contributing factor, the crash likely involved technical, operational, and environmental elements beyond the bird strike itself.
Experts emphasize that bird strikes are relatively common, with over 13,000 incidents reported annually worldwide, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). However, the vast majority of these events do not lead to significant damage due to modern aircraft being designed to withstand such impacts. Chan explained that certain conditions, such as larger birds or multiple birds striking critical systems, can increase the risk of severe damage.
In this case, investigators are also examining whether the bird strike could have indirectly affected other systems, such as hydraulic lines or control components, that may have led to landing gear malfunctions. Richard Curran, a professor of aviation management at City University of London, expressed skepticism that a bird strike could directly cause the landing gear to malfunction, suggesting that a blockage or failure of a signal might be more likely.
The investigation will focus on analyzing how the bird strike might have interacted with other potential failures, including engine ingestion that could lead to cascading system failures. Investigators are also scrutinizing the timeline of events, as the bird strike warning, mayday declaration, and crash occurred within a span of just six minutes, indicating a critical situation that required swift decision-making.
Additional factors being considered include the slope of the runway and the presence of a concrete wall beyond the runway, which may have exacerbated the severity of the crash. Although weather conditions were reportedly calm, they will still be assessed to rule out any unexpected environmental influences.