"South Korea Set to Release Initial Findings on Jeju Air Crash by Monday"

South Korea is preparing to release a preliminary report on the deadly Jeju Air plane crash that occurred last month, which resulted in the loss of 179 lives. This tragic event, marking the deadliest air disaster in the nation’s history, has prompted an in-depth investigation into the causes, and the government plans to make the initial findings available by Monday. The Ministry of Transport announced that the report will explore various aspects of the crash, including the possibility that a bird strike played a role in the tragic incident.

The crash took place on December 29, 2024, when Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, which had been flying from Bangkok, was making its final approach to Muan International Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, had been in the process of executing a go-around maneuver when the pilots reported a bird strike. At approximately 08:58:11 a.m., the pilots discussed seeing birds flying beneath the aircraft. Shortly after, at 08:58:56, they declared a mayday, alerting air traffic control that a bird strike had occurred. Surveillance footage from the airport confirmed that the plane made contact with birds during the go-around, although it was unclear from the footage exactly when the strike happened.

The preliminary report will be shared with international aviation authorities, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the aviation bodies of the United States, France, and Thailand. South Korean investigators have been collaborating with teams from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety. This cooperation is expected to provide crucial insights into the causes of the crash.

While the investigation is ongoing, the analysis of flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and communication logs will take several months to complete. The cockpit voice recorder, which typically captures important conversations and technical details, stopped recording just four minutes and seven seconds before the crash. The ministry also noted that the communication between the plane and air traffic controllers will be reviewed to help determine the sequence of events leading up to the disaster.

The investigation into the bird strike is a key aspect of the inquiry. Duck feathers and blood were found in both engines of the plane, confirming that the bird strike was significant enough to affect the aircraft’s performance. Additionally, it was revealed that the pilots issued the mayday distress call while the aircraft was still airborne, signaling that the situation had become critical.

At 9:02:57 a.m., just minutes after declaring the mayday, the plane crashed into a concrete embankment supporting navigation antennas, known as localisers. The impact resulted in a catastrophic fire that claimed the lives of all passengers and crew members aboard, except for two crew members who were seated in the tail section of the aircraft. The crash site, located near Muan International Airport, was the scene of devastating destruction.

In response to the crash, the Ministry of Transport also announced plans to investigate the role of the concrete embankment in exacerbating the severity of the disaster. Experts believe that the embankment, which was situated close to the runway, may have made the crash more lethal by obstructing the aircraft’s path and complicating emergency response efforts. As a result, the ministry has decided to remove the embankment to prevent future accidents of a similar nature.

While the investigation into the full scope of the crash is expected to take several months, the release of the preliminary report will provide the first glimpse into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. It is expected to include findings on the bird strike, the plane’s operational performance, and other factors that may have contributed to the disaster. South Korea’s efforts to cooperate with international aviation bodies reflect the country’s commitment to improving aviation safety and preventing similar incidents in the future.

The Jeju Air crash has deeply affected the nation, sparking widespread grief and leading to questions about the safety measures in place for managing bird strikes and other potential hazards near airports. As the investigation continues, the public and the international aviation community await more details that could help shape future aviation safety protocols and regulations.