Final Moments Of Jeju Air Flight 2216: A Tragic Collision Of Factors

Just minutes before Jeju Air Flight 2216’s fatal crash, a passenger sent a chilling text message to a friend, revealing the aircraft had struck a bird.

“Wait a minute… we can’t land because a bird (or birds) caught in our wing,” the passenger wrote on Korea’s messaging app KakaoTalk at 9 a.m. local time. When asked for clarification, the passenger responded, “Just now… Should I leave last words?” Contact was then lost.

This tragic accident, South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster since 1997, remains under investigation. Early theories suggest a combination of a bird strike, failure to deploy landing gear, and the presence of a concrete embankment may have contributed to the catastrophe. However, authorities warn that determining the exact cause could take months. Initial assumptions often differ from the final findings of detailed investigations.

The Investigation So Far

US aviation authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are assisting South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board in unraveling the mystery.

While Boeing’s 737-800 has a strong safety record, with only 10 fatal accidents between 1959 and 2023, questions linger about the crash. Hassan Shahidi, CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, highlighted South Korea's strong aviation safety history and adherence to international standards, making this incident particularly perplexing.

“This accident is very, very sad with the loss of life we’ve seen,” Shahidi said. “Investigators face a complex puzzle involving numerous factors.”

Moments of Distress: "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday"

Before the crash, the pilot declared an emergency due to a bird strike and attempted a go-around maneuver. According to South Korea’s Transport Ministry, the control tower had warned of bird activity near the runway.

Globally, wildlife strikes have caused over 491 fatalities and destroyed more than 350 aircraft since 1988. While uncommon, these incidents have risen recently, with 19,603 reported in 2023—a 14% increase from 2022.

Aviation expert Erika Armstrong noted that bird strikes can damage engines and disrupt hydraulics, though they rarely lead to catastrophic failures. “Pilots train for engine failures regularly—it’s expected,” she said. Yet, she questioned why the landing gear failed to deploy, as Boeing 737s allow for manual gear extension, albeit under tight time constraints.

A Deadly Barrier

A concrete embankment near the runway intensified the crash's severity, killing 179 of the 181 passengers and crew. Experts criticized the embankment's proximity to the runway, calling it a critical design flaw.

“I just cannot think of anything more irresponsible,” said Shawn Pruchnicki, an aviation expert. “The embankment guaranteed destruction and death.”

International standards for runway construction will come under scrutiny as investigators assess whether the barrier complied with global guidelines.

Next Steps: Decoding the Black Boxes

The recovery of the aircraft’s black boxes—flight data and cockpit voice recorders—will be pivotal in understanding the disaster. Investigators will examine three key areas: the pilot’s actions, environmental conditions, and the aircraft’s performance.

Boeing and South Korean officials will also inspect all 101 Boeing 737-800 jets operated by South Korean airlines. Meanwhile, US agencies, including the NTSB, will await the official preliminary report, expected within 30 days, and a final report within a year.

Unanswered Questions

Though speculation abounds, experts urge caution in assigning blame prematurely. Shahidi emphasized the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed thoroughly, stating, “Air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation.”

For now, the aviation world mourns the loss while seeking to learn from this tragedy. As investigators piece together the puzzle, they aim to prevent similar disasters and uphold the trust of millions who rely on air travel daily.