Investigators have confirmed that bird strikes contributed to the crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 on December 29, 2024, which killed 179 people in South Korea, BBC reported.
Feathers and blood from Baikal teal ducks, a migratory species that flies in large flocks, were found in both engines, according to an initial report released Monday.
The flight, which took off from Bangkok, was approaching Muan International Airport at 8:57 a.m. local time. Three minutes after receiving a warning from air traffic control about bird activity, the pilots reported a bird strike and issued a mayday call.
The team attempted an emergency landing from the opposite direction, but the plane belly-landed without deploying landing gear, overshot the runway, and crashed into a concrete structure at the runway’s end. The aircraft exploded upon impact.
The concrete structure, which housed a navigation system known as a localizer, is under scrutiny. Aviation experts have raised concerns about the placement of the barriers, noting that their absence could have reduced the crash’s severity.
The report indicates that the engines will be disassembled for further analysis, and the localizer’s design and location will also undergo a detailed review.
After the crash, South Korea’s transport ministry announced changes to localizer barriers and runway safety areas at seven airports to prevent similar accidents and reduce casualty risks.
The investigation will continue to examine the role of the bird strike, the navigation infrastructure, and other contributing factors in the disaster.