The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 jet that crashed last month, killing 179 people, encountered significant challenges as it approached Muan Airport in South Korea. On December 29, the flight from Bangkok faced a devastating end when it overshot the runway and executed an emergency belly landing, ultimately crashing into an embankment. This tragic event left only two survivors and has prompted thorough investigations by aviation authorities.
The embankment at Muan Airport, which contained critical navigation equipment known as localisers, played a crucial role in the crash's severity. These localisers aid aircraft in making precise approaches to runways. However, the reinforced concrete and earth structure supporting the system's antennae likely contributed to the high death toll. The plane was approximately 152 meters in altitude and flying at a speed of 298 kilometers per hour about two kilometers from the runway when the flight recorders ceased functioning, four minutes before the crash.
During the flight's final moments, the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) simultaneously stopped recording. The pilots had been aware of a flock of birds during their final approach, and the plane's engines were later found to contain duck remains, specifically DNA from Baikal Teals, a migratory duck species. This discovery aligns with the emergency declaration made by the Jeju Air flight crew, who issued a "Mayday x 3" call due to a bird strike during a go-around maneuver.
"After the crash into the embankment, fire and a partial explosion occurred. Both engines were buried in the embankment's soil mound, and the fore fuselage scattered up to 30-200m from the embankment," – The report
The South Korean Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board has released a preliminary report on the crash, sharing its findings with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as authorities in Thailand, the United States, and France—the home states of the aircraft and engine manufacturers.
"These all-out investigation activities aim to determine the accurate cause of the accident," – The report
As investigations continue, experts are examining the intricate details surrounding the crash. The presence of duck DNA in both engines underscores the impact of bird strikes on flight safety. Additionally, the report indicates that the plane's interaction with the embankment heightened the tragedy's scale.
"made an emergency declaration (Mayday x 3) for a bird strike during a go-around." – The report
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