Could a bird strike have caused S Korea plane crash?

In a tragic event that has shocked South Korea, a plane crash occurred on Sunday, resulting in the loss of 179 lives, marking it as the deadliest aviation disaster in the country's history. In the moments leading up to the crash, air traffic control issued a warning about a potential bird strike, which is a serious alert indicating that birds may be in the flight path of the aircraft. This has prompted officials to launch an emergency safety investigation to determine whether a bird strike was indeed the cause of the crash or if other factors contributed to this devastating incident. Bird strikes refer to collisions between birds and aircraft while in flight. These incidents can pose significant risks to aviation safety, particularly because if birds are ingested into jet engines, they can cause a loss of power. Bird strikes are not uncommon; in fact, in the United States alone, over 19,600 wildlife strikes were reported to the Federal Aviation Administration in 2023, with the majority involving birds. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, there were more than 1,400 bird strikes recorded in 2022, although only about 100 of these incidents had an impact on aircraft operations. Despite the frequency of bird strikes, they are rarely linked to fatal accidents. While it is true that engines can stall or shut down if birds are sucked into them, pilots are generally well-trained to handle such emergencies. They are taught to be particularly cautious during dawn and dusk when birds are most active. However, there have been instances where bird strikes have led to tragic outcomes. Between 1988 and 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration reported that 76 individuals lost their lives in the United States due to collisions between aircraft and wildlife. One notable incident occurred in 1995 when a military aircraft crashed near an Air Force base in Alaska after colliding with a flock of geese, resulting in the deaths of 24 airmen. Another significant event was the 'Miracle on the Hudson' in 2009, when an Airbus struck a flock of geese and had to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River. Fortunately, all 155 passengers and crew members survived this harrowing experience, which was later depicted in the film 'Sully,' starring Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger. As for the recent crash in South Korea, officials have yet to confirm whether the aircraft actually collided with any birds. A passenger on board reportedly messaged a family member, stating that a bird was stuck in the wing, which hindered the plane's ability to land safely. Lee Jeong-hyun, the chief of the Muan fire department, indicated that both a bird strike and adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the crash, but the precise cause remains under investigation. Aviation expert Chris Kingswood, who has over 40 years of flying experience and has piloted the same type of aircraft involved in the crash, noted that the video footage does not provide a clear explanation of the incident. He observed that the plane was not utilizing its landing gear and flaps as expected, suggesting that the situation unfolded rapidly. Kingswood explained that if both engines fail, pilots at low altitudes face a multitude of critical decisions in a very short time frame. He emphasized that altitude is crucial in such scenarios, as a commercial airplane can still operate reasonably well on one engine. He also mentioned that there are alternative systems available to control the landing gear and flaps in the event of engine failure. However, if the aircraft was flying at a low altitude, the pilots would need to concentrate on flying the plane and finding a safe place to land. Other aviation experts have raised questions about whether a bird strike alone could have caused the crash. Geoffrey Thomas, the editor of Airline News, stated that while bird strikes are common, they typically do not result in the loss of an aircraft on their own. Australian airline safety expert Geoffrey Dell echoed this sentiment, stating that he has never witnessed a bird strike prevent landing gear from being deployed. He acknowledged that a bird strike could potentially affect the engines if a flock were ingested, but it would not immediately shut them down, allowing pilots time to respond to the situation. As rescue workers and firefighters continue to search through the wreckage of the Jeju Air aircraft, the scene remains somber, with many individuals mourning the loss of their loved ones. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are committed to uncovering the truth behind this tragic accident to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.