Jeju Air Crash: Preliminary Findings Reveal Bird Strike Warning Before Fatal Incident

KRKorea|

A preliminary investigation into the deadly crash of Jeju Air flight from Bangkok has revealed that the aircraft received a bird activity warning just one minute before its black box recording ceased. The incident, which occurred on December 29, 2024, near Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulted in the deaths of 179 passengers, with only two survivors.

The South Korean transport ministry reported that the aircraft attempted a go-around maneuver before colliding with a flock of birds. Initial communications between the cockpit and air traffic control began at 8:54 AM, with landing clearance granted shortly thereafter. The warning about potential bird strikes was issued at 8:57 AM, followed by a discussion in the cockpit about the flock of birds flying below the plane.

The black box recording stopped at 8:58:50 AM, indicating a potential loss of power caused by dual engine shutdowns due to bird strikes, as feathers and blood from migratory ducks were later found on the engines. An emergency “mayday” call is believed to have been declared at 8:58:56 AM, but no recording exists of this declaration.

The crash occurred approximately four minutes after the aircraft began its landing approach, culminating in the plane striking a concrete mound and bursting into flames at 9:02 AM. A full analysis of the flight data and cockpit recordings will take several months, while families of the victims have concluded the search for additional remains at the accident site.

The South Korean government plans to share the preliminary findings with the International Civil Aviation Organisation and relevant countries, including the United States, France, and Thailand, by Monday.

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