Mon Dec 30 04:55:18 UTC 2024: ## Deadly Bird Strike and Subsequent Crash Raises Aviation Safety Questions in South Korea

**Seoul, South Korea** – A fatal crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 on Sunday, killing 179 of 181 passengers, has cast a spotlight on aviation safety procedures in South Korea and the potential consequences of bird strikes, even though such incidents rarely lead to catastrophic failures.

The Boeing 787-800, en route to Jeju Island, made a catastrophic belly landing at Muan International Airport after the pilots reported a bird strike and subsequent multiple system failures. The aircraft skidded, hit a concrete wall, and burst into flames.

While pilots reported encountering a flock of birds prior to the crash, aviation experts like Geoffrey Thomas, editor-in-chief of Airline Ratings, suggest the bird strike was likely only a contributing factor. The loss of ADS-B data (aircraft location data) shortly after the mayday call points to a potential electrical failure, leading to the failure to deploy landing gear and flaps. The exact cause remains under investigation by South Korean authorities and the US National Transportation Safety Board.

The incident highlights the relatively common occurrence of bird strikes. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded nearly 20,000 wildlife strikes in 2023, although most result in only minor damage. However, bird strikes have been implicated in several serious accidents, including the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash.

Aviation expert Doug Drury questioned several aspects of the Jeju Air crash, including the lack of speed reduction during landing, the unusual landing direction, and the absence of flame-retardant foam on the runway. He also criticized the apparent delay in implementing bird deterrent measures at Muan International Airport, despite recommendations for sound cannons and lasers.

In response to the tragedy, South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered an emergency safety inspection of the entire airline industry to prevent future accidents. The investigation into the exact cause of the crash is expected to take several months.

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