A tragic crash involving Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 on December 29, 2024, claimed 179 lives after both engines contained duck DNA, stemming from bird strikes shortly before an emergency landing attempt.

The harrowing crash underscores critical aviation safety concerns as both engines of the aircraft were compromised by bird strikes, specifically involving Baikal teals. The incident, which took place during a failed emergency landing attempt, killed 179 passengers and crew, raising alarms about the effectiveness of wildlife management near airports. In response, South Korea's Transport Ministry is set to remove a hazardous concrete structure at Muan International Airport implicated in the crash, while investigations into engine integrity and air traffic control warnings continue.

The preliminary investigation revealed that both engines of the Jeju Air aircraft showed signs of bird strikes, evidenced by the presence of feathers and blood stains. This critical finding aligns with the timeline of the incident, where traffic controllers had warned the flight crew about potential bird strikes just two minutes prior to the aircraft's emergency declaration.

On that fateful day, Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 was operating a standard route when the situation escalated. The emergency landing was necessitated by a failure of the plane's landing gear to deploy, compelling the pilots to execute a belly landing. Unfortunately, this maneuver resulted in a catastrophic crash into a concrete embankment that housed essential navigation equipment.

The impact was devastating, leading to the death of 179 out of the 181 individuals on board. Most of the victims were South Korean nationals, marking this incident as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent South Korean history. The two survivors are currently receiving medical care and support following their traumatic experience.

Further investigation revealed that both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) ceased recording approximately four minutes before the crash occurred. This has raised questions regarding the conditions in the cockpit just prior to the tragic event and what actions, if any, were taken by the flight crew.

Experts have pointed to the concrete embankment, which is a notable hazard situated near the airport, contributing to the severity of the crash. Investigators are emphasizing the need for infrastructure changes, as many believe that lighter materials should have been utilized for structures housing navigation equipment to mitigate dangers associated with emergency landings.

In light of the findings, South Korea's Transport Ministry is moving forward with plans to dismantle the concrete structure to prevent future tragedies. This proactive measure aims to enhance safety protocols as officials conduct a comprehensive review of wildlife management strategies near the airport.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been notified regarding the preliminary findings of the investigation. This notification is part of a broader process aimed at ensuring international aviation safety standards are met in the wake of such incidents.

The ongoing investigations will entail the disassembly of the aircraft's engines to further analyze the extent of the damage caused by the bird strikes and to potentially identify other contributing factors to the crash. Authorities will also review air traffic control communications and gather data pertinent to standard operational procedures in emergency situations.

As the investigation continues, aviation safety experts are reiterating the importance of addressing wildlife hazards at airports. Strategies may include implementing greater surveillance of migratory patterns near airports and adopting measures to deter birds from congregating near flight paths.