A Bird Strike Moments Before the Crash of Jeju Air Flight

Bird Strike Moments Before the Cash of Jeju Air Flight

In the aftermath of the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 at Muan International Airport, South Korean broadcaster MBC News released footage purportedly showing a bird strike moments before the accident. The video, captured by an eyewitness, appears to depict a bird colliding with the aircraft during its final approach, potentially causing critical damage to the landing gear.

Watch Video: A Bird Strike Moments Before the Crash of Jeju Air Flight

Aviation experts emphasize that bird strikes, while relatively common, can lead to severe mechanical failures, especially if vital components like the landing gear or engines are affected. In this incident, the suspected bird strike may have compromised the landing gear's functionality, forcing the pilots to attempt a belly landing. Such a maneuver increases the risk of structural damage and fire, as tragically evidenced by the subsequent events.

The investigation, led by South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, is focusing on several key areas:

• Flight Data Analysis: Examining the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to reconstruct the sequence of events and assess the crew's response.

• Aircraft Inspection: Assessing the extent of damage caused by the suspected bird strike and evaluating the aircraft's maintenance history for any underlying issues.

• Wildlife Management Review: Investigating the effectiveness of wildlife hazard management at and around Muan International Airport to prevent future incidents.

Jeju Air has expressed condolences to the victims' families and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. The airline has also initiated an internal review of its safety protocols and maintenance procedures to identify any areas for improvement.

Fire authorities say that among the 181 people aboard the Jeju Air flight, Only Two Rescued, 179 Dead.

At Muan airport, a Boeing 737-800 (Jeju Air) carrying 175 passengers and six crew members skidded off the runway and struck a wall, resulting in South Korea's worst domestic civil aviation accident.

The plane received a warning of a bird strike from the control tower prior to the crash, According to South Korea's transport ministry.

South Korea plane crash

Fire authorities have reported that of the 181 people aboard the Jeju Air flight from Bangkok, all but two are presumed dead following a crash during an emergency landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday morning, as cited by Yonhap News.

Rescue teams are continuing to search through the wreckage, where more bodies are believed to remain trapped inside the fuselage. Two survivors—a passenger and a crew member—were rescued from the tail section of the aircraft and are currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.

According to footage circulated by local media, the twin-engine aircraft skidded down the runway without any visible landing gear before crashing into a wall in a debris and flame explosion.

The moment the aircraft exploded on landing at the airport:

The Cause of South Korea Plane Crash: Bird Strike or Mechanical Failures?

The Boeing 737-800 attempted a belly landing at approximately 9:03 a.m. local time after its landing gear reportedly failed to deploy.

Eyewitnesses described hearing loud "bangs" just before the plane collided with the airport’s perimeter wall, splitting into two sections and igniting a massive fire. Local broadcaster MBC has aired footage that seemingly shows a bird strike incident during the aircraft's descent. Investigators are actively examining the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Should the death toll be officially confirmed, this would represent South Korea’s deadliest domestic aviation disaster and the first major casualty event involving a low-cost carrier in the country’s history, according to the JoongAng Ilbo.

South Korea has previously witnessed significant aviation tragedies, including the 1993 Asiana Airlines crash in Mokpo, which resulted in 68 fatalities, and the 2002 Air China crash near Gimhae Airport, where 129 of 166 passengers lost their lives.

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