Jeju air crash investigation: Bird feathers & bloodstains found in engines

KATHMANDU: The preliminary investigation into the December crash of a Jeju Air flight has revealed traces of bird feathers and blood on both engines, officials reported Monday.

On Dec 29, the Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 people, including crew, was en route from Thailand to Muan, South Korea, when it tragically crashed.

The crash claimed 179 lives, leaving two critically injured, marking the worst aviation accident on South Korean soil.

South Korean and U.S. investigators are still examining the cause of the crash, considering factors like bird strikes, faulty landing gear, and runway obstructions as potential contributors.

Engine inspections at the crash site revealed bird blood and feathers, according to the report. “The pilot reported spotting a flock of birds near Runway 01, and surveillance footage captured the aircraft, HL8088, approaching the birds shortly before the crash,” the report detailed.

The engines reportedly failed moments before the crash, but it remains unclear whether the bird strike directly caused the failure. DNA analysis suggests the feathers belong to Baikal Teals, migratory birds from Siberia that frequent Korea during winter.

Additionally, the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder both ceased functioning four minutes before the disaster.

The plane’s captain had over 6,800 flight hours, while the co-pilot had logged more than 1,650 hours of experience. Both lost their lives in the crash, while two flight attendants were the sole survivors.

The plane exploded in flames after colliding with a concrete embankment during landing, raising questions about why such obstructions were placed at the runway’s end.

In response, authorities announced plans last week to replace similar concrete barriers nationwide with collapsible structures to enhance runway safety.