A tragic aviation disaster struck South Korea, claiming 179 lives when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed during landing at Muan International Airport.
A reported bird strike caused hydraulic failure, preventing the landing gear from deploying and leading to a catastrophic belly landing that ended in flames, Mail Online reported.
The flight, originating from Bangkok with 181 people on board, faced calamity in the final moments of its journey. While the bird strike reportedly disrupted the landing process, experts debate the likelihood of such an event disabling the aircraft's landing gear.
Industry professionals analyzed the incident and indicated that bird strikes commonly occur but seldom result in such devastating accidents. Geoffrey Dell, an aviation safety expert, expressed disbelief at the strike's alleged impact, stating, "I've never seen a bird strike prevent the landing gear from being extended." He suggested that additional factors might be at play.
Unverified videos and witness accounts indicate that birds being sucked into the aircraft's right engine possibly caused a fire to erupt. The fire may have triggered subsequent hydraulic failures, which disabled essential functions, including deploying the landing gear.
The aircraft's inability to stop safely on the 2,800-meter runway and its subsequent collision with a concrete wall significantly worsened the disaster's severity. David Learmount, an aviation safety expert, highlighted the gravity of the situation.
"Had it not been for the wall, the disaster could have been averted," he remarked, suggesting that alternative emergency responses might have mitigated the tragedy.
The incident left two crew members as survivors, while the rest, mostly passengers, including five children under ten, lost their lives. This disaster stands as South Korea's deadliest since 1997, prompting the nation to declare a mourning period until January 4.
The global reaction to the tragedy was of shock and sadness. Statements from figures such as King Charles and Queen Camilla highlighted the widespread mourning, "profoundly saddened to learn of the horrific air accident at Muan" and offering prayers for the bereaved families.
Commenting on the likely cause of the crash, aviation analyst Sally Gethin pointed to the plausible link between bird strike-induced engine damage and failed hydraulics.
Marco Chan, emphasizing the reliability of the Boeing 737-800, insists the tragedy was likely "a result of an unfortunate chain of events rather than a systemic design flaw." He looks forward to the investigation findings to prevent future similar incidents.
Emergency response procedures are under scrutiny due to the failed attempt at containing the situation after the belly landing. Trevor Jensen, an expert in aeronautical operations, remarks on the unexpected nature of the emergency, suggesting readiness could have been better.
The Joint investigation by South Korean authorities and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is in motion, aiming to clarify the sequence of failures leading up to the crash. Jeju Air's CEO, meanwhile, has assured cooperation with the investigation, confirming the aircraft's compliance with maintenance standards before the flight.
This incident not only reopens the debate about airplane safety and preparedness but also starkly reminds us of the unpredictable nature of air travel, where multiple safety layers sometimes falter simultaneously, resulting in irreplaceable loss of life.
