First Report on Crashed Korean Plane: Feathers and Blood Found

south korea - South Korean officials released the 'preliminary crash report' of the Jeju Air plane that crashed last month, indicating a possible bird strike as the reason for the emergency landing.

Preliminary Crash Report Reveals Bird Strike

South Korean authorities disclosed the initial findings regarding the Jeju Air plane crash last month. The report suggests that the aircraft, which claimed 179 lives, may have been forced to make an emergency landing due to a 'bird strike.' Feathers and bloodstains identified as belonging to Baikal teals, flying in large flocks, were found on both engines of the plane. The pilots of the aircraft had informed the control tower at Muan Airport that they had collided with a flock of birds and requested an emergency landing. The Boeing 737-800 jet, departing from Bangkok and destined for Muan International Airport, veered off the runway while making an emergency landing on December 29, hitting a concrete barrier at the end of the runway and catching fire. Except for two of the 181 passengers and crew on board, everyone else had lost their lives. Following assessments by experts that concrete barriers increased the death toll, South Korean authorities announced the removal of concrete barriers at airports.