The investigation into South Korea’s deadliest civil aviation accident in decades centers on a potential bird strike and an unusual landing gear malfunction. The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed at Muan International Airport, resulting in 179 fatalities.
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The aircraft skidded along the runway before colliding with a wall and igniting. While the plane was largely destroyed, the recovered flight recorders, though one is damaged, will provide crucial data for investigators. Video footage capturing the approach shows one engine possibly on fire and the plane sliding on the runway before impact.
This incident follows another concerning event where a Jeju Air plane safely returned to Gimpo Airport after a landing gear issue post-takeoff. In response, South Korean authorities are initiating a comprehensive inspection of all 101 Boeing 737-800s operating in the country and have requested Boeing and engine manufacturer CFM International to participate in the investigation.
Key Investigative Points
Beyond the flight recorders and video evidence, investigators are examining various factors, including:
- Adherence to safety protocols: Whether Jeju Air personnel followed established procedures.
- Bird strike prevention measures: The effectiveness of the airport’s bird strike mitigation strategies.
- Aircraft power system: Confirmation that the plane’s power was deactivated before the crash.
- Localizer function: The role of the landing guidance instrument in the incident.
Pending the analysis of the flight recorders and the arrival of US National Transportation Safety Board officials, authorities remain open to all possible scenarios.
Uncommon Circumstances Raise Questions
The accident presents several unusual aspects. While bird strikes occur, they rarely lead to fatal crashes due to aircraft being able to operate on a single engine. The reason for the landing gear failure remains unclear, as does any potential connection between the malfunction and the reported bird strike.
The experienced pilot, with approximately 7,000 flight hours, issued a mayday call after the bird strike warning and attempted a go-around. However, he seemingly lacked sufficient time for procedures such as fuel dumping. The runway length is not considered a contributing factor.
Boeing 737: A Workhorse Under Scrutiny
The involved aircraft, a predecessor to the 737 Max, is widely regarded as reliable and had recently undergone routine maintenance. Globally, over 4,000 similar aircraft are in service. The damaged black box, even if partially compromised, often allows for data reconstruction. These robust devices record vital flight parameters, cockpit conversations, and ambient sounds.
The bird strike warning from Muan’s control tower occurred at 8:57 a.m. local time, approximately two minutes prior to the pilot’s emergency declaration. The airport had deployed four bird strike prevention personnel at the time.
Jeju Air confirmed the 15-year-old aircraft, initially delivered to Ryanair in 2009, had no prior indications of malfunction during routine checks. The chartered flight was returning from a 4 1/2 hour trip from Bangkok.
Aftermath and Global Context
Two surviving flight attendants were hospitalized, one with serious injuries. Boeing has offered support and will likely dispatch specialists to the crash site. Recovery efforts have concluded, and salvage crews are retrieving passengers’ belongings. This tragedy marks South Korea’s deadliest passenger airline disaster, exceeding the 2002 Air China crash near Busan. A week of mourning has been declared.
This accident follows other recent air incidents globally, including a fatal crash in Russian airspace and a non-fatal incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 9 in the US. The aviation industry is facing increased scrutiny following a year of zero fatal accidents in 2023. The Jeju Air crash investigation will undoubtedly contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety.
