Birds believed responsible for deadly Jeju crash
January 01, 2025 by Eric Bradley
Just two days ago, a non-scheduled Jeju Air flight (JJA2216), en route from
Bangkok to Muan, encountered a bird strike
incident, resulting in a fatal crash. While an official investigation is
still underway, it is clear from the pilot's mayday transmission that the
collision with birds played a significant role in the incident. This serious
situation underscores the critical importance of maintaining vigilance in
the skies—not only in monitoring regular air traffic but also in
safeguarding against wildlife hazards.
A rare and tragic occurance
The accident sparked a significant public reaction in both Thailand and
Korea, with many eager to share accusations and theories.
While it is natural for such a disaster to evoke strong emotions, ranging
from grief to anger, it's important to remember that sharing
opinions—especially in the immediate aftermath—can be harmful to survivors
and the families of the victims. Furthermore, premature comments before an
official investigation is completed may have unintended economic
consequences.
Incidents like this one can also trigger fear and panic within the broader
community, potentially leading people to alter their travel plans. It's
crucial to understand that, while bird strikes are not particularly
uncommon, they are still quite rare as the cause of major crashes.
Known facts (official incident report pending)
The tragic crash of the 737-800 has become one of the most devastating
events in modern aviation history. Of the 1,474 reported incidents involving
the 737-800 type, only 13 have involved fatalities, for a total of 1,100
deaths. However, this particular accident stands out not only as the
deadliest of 2024 but also as the worst air disaster in South Korean
history, excluding wartime casualties.
The crash accounted for nearly 47.5% of all global fatalities linked to
airliner crashes in 2023 and 2024.
How the events unfolded
At approximately 08:57, Muan Tower issued a bird activity warning. Just two
minutes later, the flight crew declared a "mayday" over the radio,
announcing the bird strike and attempting a go-around. The pilots’ decision
was later confirmed by inspection findings, which revealed blood and
feathers at the site of the hull impact, ruling out cognitive bias from the
warning.
Despite successfully completing the go-around, the aircraft’s landing gear
could not be extended, severely hindering its ability to land safely. With
181 passengers and crew on board, only two survivors emerged from the
wreckage—both crew members. One of the survivors was seated in the tail
section, likely contributing to their survival given the impact dynamics.
The aircraft ultimately landed from the opposite end of the runway, a
critical deviation from the original landing plan. The absence of
landing gear left the plane unable to brake effectively. As it skidded
across the runway, friction caused significant smoke and sparks, but it was
insufficient to halt the plane before it crashed into an embankment at the
runway’s end. The collision resulted in a catastrophic explosion, marking
the final moments of a tragic event.
