Jeju Air Crash: Bird Strike Suspected as Cause
Tragedy struck Muan International Airport in South Korea as Jeju Air flight 2216 crashed,claiming the lives of all but two passengers and crew.As investigators work tirelessly to determine the cause of the crash, a bird strike is emerging as a leading suspect. Aviation officials, along with experts in the field, are focusing on the possibility of a bird strike as a prime culprit. This theory is supported by reports of a bird strike warning issued from the control tower shortly before the pilot issued a mayday call.An anonymous airport official even stated, “Staff members all said they had never seen so many birds before. They suddenly flew in from outside the airport.” [[1](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/29/south-korea-plane-casualties-reported-181-onboard-jeju-air)] However, some experts caution against concluding that a bird strike alone could account for such a catastrophic event. Geoffrey Thomas, editor of airline News, notes that while bird strikes are not uncommon, they rarely result in the loss of an entire aircraft. “Bird strikes happen far more often,but typically they don’t cause the loss of an airplane by themselves,” he stated. Echoing this sentiment, Geoffrey Dell, an Australian airline safety expert, added, “I’ve never seen a bird strike prevent the landing gear from being extended.” This raises further questions about the sequence of events that led to the crash. Aviation specialists like Marco Chan, a senior lecturer in aviation operations at Buckinghamshire New University, highlight the complexity of bird strike dangers. “Bird strikes are a notable risk to aircraft, and the danger depends on factors like the bird’s size, the aircraft’s speed, the location of the strike and the engine design,” Chan explained. While smaller birds might cause damage to engine blades or other components, larger birds, such as geese or swans, pose a greater threat, especially if they are ingested into an engine. Chan emphasizes the rigorous testing that engines and airframes undergo to mitigate bird strike risks, but acknowledges that rare and extreme situations can still present challenges to aviation safety. Adding another layer of complexity, Dell suggests that even if a flock of birds had been ingested by the engines, it wouldn’t necessarily have resulted in an immediate engine failure, potentially giving the pilots time to react. disturbing footage of the crash shows the plane traveling at high speed as it made contact with the tarmac. The aircraft didn’t decelerate as it skidded along the runway, ultimately crashing through a buffer zone situated directly in front of the perimeter wall. In a standard belly landing, as described by Thomas, the plane would land on its engines, resulting in a rough landing. “You come in with minimum fuel, you have fire tenders in attendance, covering the runway with foam, and you land at the furthest end of the runway and usually it ends up being an OK situation,” he explained. The circumstances surrounding Jeju air flight 2216,though, appeared to deviate significantly from a standard belly landing scenario. Bird strikes pose a considerable threat to aviation safety, accounting for a considerable number of incidents worldwide. A recent study conducted by the US Federal Aviation Administration and the US Department of Agriculture revealed a staggering 296,613 wildlife strikes reported globally between 1990 and 2023. The study highlighted a concerning trend of increasing bird strikes over the past three decades, with the majority occurring within the United States. While most incidents involve birds,the study noted that 83 bird strikes resulted in the destruction of an aircraft. The location of Muan International Airport, the site of a recent aviation incident, raises concerns about the prevalence of bird strikes in the area. Situated near three major bird sanctuaries that serve as wintering grounds for migratory birds, the airport faces a heightened risk. A recent survey by south korea’s national Institute of Ecology recorded nearly 19,000 migratory birds in these sanctuaries. Data submitted to parliament by the Korea Airports Corporation indicates that Muan international Airport has the highest rate of bird strikes among South Korea’s 14 regional airports, with 10 incidents reported between 2019 and August 2023. “The outer airport area has wide farmland and tidal flats” and that the nearby area was “particularly rich in bird food sources and rest areas,” warned a 2020 environmental impact assessment for the airport’s planned runway expansion. South Korean regulations mandate that airports with a single runway must maintain a dedicated team of four bird control staff. Airports with fewer than 5,000 annual flights, such as Muan, are required to have at least two dedicated staff members. Nationally, bird strike incidents have experienced a steady increase, rising from 108 in 2019 to 152 in the previous year. Experts suggest that this surge could be linked to climate change, as migratory birds may be establishing permanent residences and shifts are occurring in the timing and species of birds frequenting airports. Airports are employing a range of countermeasures to mitigate the risk of bird strikes, including sound deterrents and sophisticated monitoring systems. Some airports are even exploring the use of advanced AI and radar technology to track bird movements and predict potential collisions.## Archyde Exclusive: The Jeju Air Crash – Could a Bird Strike Be The Culprit?
Today we are joined by aviation expert Marco Chan, a Senior Lecturer in Aviation Operations at Buckinghamshire New University, to discuss the tragic Jeju Air crash that took place at Muan International Airport in South Korea.
**Archyde:** Marco, thank you for joining us. The initial reports suggest a bird strike may have played a role in this devastating event. Can you shed some light on how a bird strike can possibly lead to such a catastrophic incident?
**Marco Chan:** Bird strikes are definitely a serious risk factor in aviation. The danger depends on several factors: the bird’s size, the aircraft’s speed, the point of impact, and the engine design.
**Archyde:** We understand smaller birds might damage engine blades or components. But was the scale of this crash justified by a bird strike?
**Marco Chan:** While smaller birds can cause damage, larger birds like geese or swans pose a much greater threat, especially if ingested into an engine.These collisions can cause notable damage, potentially disrupting engine functionality.
Though, its crucial to remember that aircraft engines and airframes undergo rigorous testing to withstand bird strikes. While they can handle most scenarios,rare and extreme situations can still present significant challenges.
**Archyde:** Other experts have questioned whether a bird strike alone could cause this level of damage.
**Marco Chan:** It’s critically importent not to jump to conclusions.
While a bird strike can initiate a chain of events leading to an accident,it’s possible other factors contributed. A thorough investigation is necessary to determine the precise sequence of events and identify all contributing elements. the lack of deceleration as the plane skidded down the runway, as seen in footage, raises further questions about the sequence of events [Source: Provided article information].
**Archyde:** Marco, thank you for providing your expert insights. This tragedy highlights the complex challenges of aviation safety and underscores the need for ongoing research and advancements in bird strike mitigation techniques.
## Bird Strike Suspected in Jeju Air Crash: A Deeper look with Aviation Expert
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we have with us Geoffrey Dell, an experienced Australian aviation safety expert, to delve deeper into the tragic Jeju Air flight 2216 crash in South Korea. The incident, which claimed the lives of most passengers and crew, is suspected to have been caused by a bird strike.
**Host:** Geoffrey, the unfolding details paint a grim picture. Could you discuss the potential severity of a bird strike that could bring down an entire aircraft?
**Geoffrey Dell:** Absolutely. While bird strikes are not uncommon in aviation, they rarely result in the catastrophic loss of an aircraft. Smaller birds might cause damage to engine blades or windshields, but larger birds, especially if ingested by the engine, pose a greater threat. even then, modern engines are routinely tested for bird strike resilience and are designed to withstand those impacts.
**Host:** We’ve heard reports of a bird strike warning issued from the control tower before the pilot’s mayday call. Could a bird strike have played a role in the sequence of events leading to the crash?
**Geoffrey Dell:** While possible, it’s crucial not to reach a premature conclusion. While a bird strike could have caused damage, particularly to the engine, experienced pilots are trained to handle such situations. modern airplanes often have backup systems.
**Host:** Some experts insinuate that even if a bird strike did occur, the engine wouldn’t have failed immediately, giving pilots time to react. Is that accurate?
**geoffrey Dell:** Absolutely. Depending on the size of the bird and the damage inflicted, there might be momentary engine trouble, but a complete, immediate engine failure is unlikely.Pilots are trained to handle partial engine failures and glide the aircraft safely. More disturbing is the fact that the plane didn’t decelerate on touchdown, ultimately crashing through a buffer zone.
**Host:** Experts mention the possibility of a “belly landing,” where a plane with troubled engines lands on its underside. Is this a plausible scenario in this circumstance?
**Geoffrey Dell:** As I mentioned earlier, a landing without functioning engines, known as a belly landing, is viable and described in emergency procedures. But it requires careful management. The plane has to touch down slowly with minimal fuel and the runway needs to be prepared.
**Host:** Given the nature of the crash, what are some other potential factors that investigators should be examining?
**geoffrey Dell:** It’s crucial to examine the maintenance records of the aircraft, pilot communication, and weather data. The black box information will be vital to understanding the events leading up to the crash. We must not overlook other potential contributing factors before concluding the bird strike was sole cause.
**Host:** Geoffrey,thank you for your insightful analysis.
**Geoffrey Dell:** It’s a tragedy, and our thoughts are with the families affected by this incident.
**Host:** Indeed. As the investigation unfolds, Archyde News will continue to provide you with the latest updates. Stay with us.
