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A preliminary report by South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has indicated that a bird strike may have been the primary cause of the fatal Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport (MWX) on December 29, 2024. The six-page report provides initial findings but stops short of definitive conclusions, with the investigation still ongoing.
The MOLIT report revealed that DNA from Baikal Teals, a small duck species native to eastern Asia, was found in both engines of the Boeing 737-800. Pilots reportedly observed a flock of birds near the runway at 08:58:56 local time, shortly before declaring an emergency (Mayday x 3) due to a bird strike during a go-around maneuver.
The aircraft, which was initially approaching runway 01, attempted to land on runway 19. It aligned with the runway’s centerline but conducted a belly landing, as the landing gear was not deployed. The report does not yet explain why the landing gear was not engaged.
The report describes significant damage to the aircraft:
The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) ceased recording at 08:58:50, leaving a four-minute gap before the aircraft struck the embankment at 09:02:57 local time. At the time of the recording stoppage, the aircraft was traveling at 161 knots and at an altitude of 498 feet. The report does not clarify why both recorders failed simultaneously.
The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) is leading the investigation with support from international organizations, including the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and France’s Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile (BEA). The investigation will involve:
The MOLIT has emphasized that this report is preliminary and subject to updates as more evidence emerges. Errors or omissions in the initial findings will be corrected in the final report. The investigation aligns with South Korea’s commitment to improving aviation safety, as outlined by the ministry’s Aviation Safety Management System.
The Jeju Air crash underscores the risks posed by bird strikes in aviation, an issue highlighted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). MOLIT and ARAIB aim to provide actionable recommendations to mitigate such risks in the future.
