Potential Cause: Bird Strike Under Scrutiny
A possible bird strike has emerged as a key factor in the crash. Officials revealed that air traffic controllers had warned the flight about bird strike risks minutes before the accident. One of the surviving crew members reportedly mentioned a bird strike during their initial rescue, though investigations are ongoing.
Muan International Airport has a troubling history with bird strikes, recording the highest rate among South Korea’s 14 regional airports. Between 2019 and August 2024, 10 bird strikes were reported at Muan, with a strike rate of 0.09% of flights—significantly higher than Gimpo (0.018%) and Jeju (0.013%).
Experts attribute the elevated risk to the airport’s proximity to coastal areas and fields, which attract large bird populations. Nationwide, bird strike incidents have risen from 108 in 2019 to 152 in 2023, a trend some link to climate change affecting migratory bird patterns.
Timeline of the Crash
Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 was en route from Bangkok to Muan with 181 people aboard. At approximately 9:00 a.m. local time, the plane attempted to land but skidded off the runway and collided with a wall, bursting into flames. Rescue workers described the plane as “unrecognizable,” with only the tail section retaining any identifiable shape.
Casualties and Recovery Efforts
Of the 179 fatalities, 65 victims have been identified, including five children under 10 years old. The youngest victim was a three-year-old boy, and the oldest was 78. Emergency workers are still searching nearby areas for missing bodies.
More than 1,500 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and military members, have been deployed to aid in recovery efforts. A temporary morgue has been set up near the crash site to assist with identification and family arrangements.
International and Domestic Response
The crash has drawn condolences from leaders worldwide, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also extended sympathies to South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok.
In South Korea, the government has declared a seven-day national mourning period. Flags will be flown at half-mast, and civil servants will wear black ribbons. Acting President Choi visited the crash site and pledged full support for the victims’ families.
Political Fallout Amid National Crisis
The tragedy comes amid unprecedented political turmoil in South Korea. The nation’s parliament recently impeached two acting presidents within weeks, leaving Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok as the current acting leader. Rival political parties have set aside animosities to focus on the disaster response.
The opposition Democratic Party has dispatched a delegation to Muan to oversee rescue efforts, while the ruling People Power Party has formed a task force to investigate the crash and support victims’ families.
Jeju Air’s Statement and Ongoing Investigation
Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae expressed profound regret over the tragedy, emphasizing that the aircraft had no prior accident history or early signs of malfunction. Both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been recovered, and investigations are underway with the involvement of South Korea’s Transport Ministry and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Broader Implications
The crash has spotlighted the growing threat of bird strikes at airports, particularly in high-risk zones like Muan. While traditional countermeasures such as sound deterrents and monitoring systems are in place, experts advocate for more advanced solutions, including AI and radar technologies to track bird movements.
As South Korea mourns this devastating loss, authorities are committed to uncovering the cause of the accident and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
