The South Korean Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) has released its initial findings on the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash, which occurred in December 2024. Tragically, the accident claimed the lives of 179 people, with investigators confirming that both flight recorders stopped minutes before impact. The report also revealed evidence of a bird strike, with bird feathers and blood stains found in both engines.
Jeju Air Flight 7C2216: What Happened?
Fatal Go-Around Attempt
Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, operated by a Boeing 737-800 (HL8088), took off from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) at 4:30 AM local time (UTC +7) on December 29, 2024, bound for Muan International Airport (MWX), South Korea.
- Passengers & Crew: 181 people onboard (175 passengers, 6 crew members).
- Landing Clearance: At 8:54:43 AM (UTC +9), air traffic control (ATC) cleared the flight to land on Runway 01 at Muan Airport.
- Bird Activity Warning: At 8:57:50 AM, ATC warned the pilots about birds near the runway.
- Flight Recorders Stopped: Just a minute later, both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) ceased recording. The reason remains unclear.
- Mayday Call: At 8:58:50 AM, the pilots issued a mayday distress call, reporting a bird strike during a go-around.
In response, the aircraft turned right and attempted to land on Runway 19. However, it crash-landed without deploying landing gear, overran the runway, and hit an embankment, bursting into flames.
Bird Strike Evidence and Investigation
Flying Into a Flock of Birds
ARAIB’s investigation found that the pilots saw a flock of birds while approaching Runway 01. Surveillance footage confirmed the aircraft’s proximity to a large group of birds during its go-around attempt.
Bird Species Identified
Investigators examined both engines and found feathers and blood stains, which were sent for DNA analysis. The species was identified as Baikal Teals, a migratory duck commonly found in South Korea during winter.
Ongoing Investigation
Since this is a preliminary report, ARAIB will continue analyzing:
- The 737-800’s engines, including a full teardown.
- CVR and FDR data (if retrievable).
- The impact site, including the embankment and runway equipment.
- Bird strike risk mitigation measures at Muan International Airport.
Investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) are assisting in the probe.
Aircraft and Safety Regulations
Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 (HL8088) History
- Built in: 2009
- Originally delivered to: Ryanair on September 4, 2009
- Transferred to Jeju Air: February 2017
Issues With Flight Recorders
The crash has raised concerns about recorder reliability, as both the CVR and FDR stopped recording before the crash. This has complicated the investigation.
FAA’s Flight Recorder Rule Changes
In 2008, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced new requirements for flight recorders due to past incidents where CVR and FDR failures made investigations difficult. The changes included:
- Extended CVR recording time to 10 minutes of backup power after a power loss.
- Increased data recording rates for FDRs.
- Mandatory separation of CVR and FDR power sources to improve reliability.
Despite these rules, retrofits for older aircraft were not mandated due to cost concerns. Boeing previously suggested that these recorder regulations should apply globally, including to non-U.S. registered aircraft.
Key Takeaways from the Preliminary Report
- Bird Strike Confirmed: Baikal Teals were identified as the probable cause of the dual engine failure.
- Flight Recorders Malfunctioned: Both CVR and FDR stopped recording before the crash, complicating the investigation.
- Jeju Air Pilots Issued a Mayday Call: The crew attempted an emergency landing after the bird strike but crash-landed.
- Further Investigation Needed: ARAIB will conduct a full engine teardown, analyze the impact site, and assess bird strike prevention measures.
This tragic accident underscores the dangers of bird strikes and the importance of reliable flight recorders in aviation safety investigations.
The Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crash highlights the risks of bird strikes and the importance of flight recorder reliability. Investigators are now working to determine the exact cause of the crash and evaluate safety improvements for the future. With 179 lives lost, this tragedy may lead to stronger aviation safety measures, particularly in airports prone to bird activity.
