Preliminary Report on Jeju Air Crash in South Korea
Photo source: Yonhap
South Korean aviation authorities have released the preliminary report on the devastating Jeju Air crash on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport. The tragedy, which claimed 179 lives and left only two survivors out of the 181 aboard the Boeing 737-800, marks South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster.
While shedding light on critical details such as a bird strike and black box malfunction, the report stops short of determining the exact cause of the crash. Investigators continue to delve deeper into the events leading to the accident.
Black Box Failure and Timeline
A significant concern in the investigation is the failure of the aircraft’s black box recorders—comprising the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). Both devices stopped functioning approximately two kilometers from the runway at 8:58:50 PM, just four minutes before the crash.
At the time of the malfunction, the aircraft was flying at an altitude of 152 meters and traveling at 161 knots (298 km/h). This simultaneous failure of both recorders has left investigators without crucial data from the flight's final moments. The reason for this abrupt loss of recordings remains under investigation.
Bird Strike
Analysis of both engines revealed DNA traces of Baikal Teals, a migratory duck species. The pilots had declared a Mayday three times after initiating a go-around, citing the presence of a flock of birds near the runway. However, investigators have not yet determined the exact timing of the bird strike or the number of birds involved. The investigation will explore how this encounter impacted the flight’s trajectory and led to the catastrophic events.
Crash Circumstances and Aftermath
The report highlights the aircraft’s failure to deploy its gear during an attempted belly landing. The plane overshot the runway and collided with a reinforced concrete localizer embankment, which houses navigation equipment.
The collision caused a fire and a partial explosion, scattering up to 200 meters of debris. Experts believe that the embankment’s structure likely contributed to the high number of fatalities.
Next Steps in the Investigation
Authorities have outlined a series of next steps to uncover the full circumstances of the crash. These include:
- A detailed teardown of the engines is needed to analyze the bird strike further.
- Examination of in-flight and air traffic control data to identify anomalies.
- Evaluate the localized riser and its embankment for their roles in the crash’s severity.
The findings from this ongoing investigation have been shared with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and aviation authorities in Thailand, the United States, and France.
What’s Next for the Final Report?
Under ICAO regulations, a preliminary report must be released within 30 days of an aviation accident. Investigators aim to provide a final report within 12 months, detailing the exact causes and offering recommendations to prevent similar tragedies.
This preliminary report has raised as many questions as it has answered, highlighting the complexities of modern aviation accidents. As the investigation continues, the global aviation community awaits more definitive answers to prevent such devastating losses in the future.
