What was suspected to have caused the engine failure in the Jeju Air crash at Muan airport in December 2024?

The tragic Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport in December 2024 is suspected to have been initiated by a bird strike. Investigators discovered feathers and blood stains from Baikal Teals, a type of migratory duck, in both engines of the aircraft. This type of wildlife encounter, where birds collide (Review) with an aircraft, particularly its engines, can cause significant damage and lead to engine failure, posing a serious threat to aviation safety.

Adding to the complexity of the incident, air traffic control had issued a warning about potential bird activity just minutes before the crash. Muan International Airport is known to have a relatively high rate of bird strikes compared to other regional airports in South Korea, highlighting the ongoing challenge airports face in mitigating this risk. Such incidents underscore the constant vigilance required from both air traffic control and pilots to navigate the skies safely, especially during critical phases of flight like approach and landing.

Further investigation into the Jeju Air accident revealed a critical turn of events following the bird strike. Evidence suggests that the pilots may have inadvertently shut down the less-damaged left engine, rather than the more severely affected right engine, in the chaotic moments after the impact. This critical error led to a complete loss of power to the aircraft, preventing the landing gear from deploying. The Boeing 737-800 then belly-landed, overran the runway, and tragically collided with a concrete structure, exacerbating the severity of the crash and resulting in a high number of fatalities.