Reuters: Experts question bird strike as cause of South Korea plane crash

[Dennis Donovan]

Reuters - Experts question bird strike as cause of South Korea plane crash

By Bart Meijer and Lisa Barrington
December 29, 2024
10:59 AM EST



Summary
•Experts say many questions yet to be answered
•Jeju Air says investigation is underway
•Deputy transport minister says runway length not a contributing factor

Dec 29 (Reuters) - Uncertainty surrounds the deadliest plane crash on South Korean soil, aviation experts said on Sunday, questioning how much impact a potential bird strike cited by authorities could have had in bringing down the Jeju Air (089590.KS), flight.

The apparent absence of landing gear, the timing of the twin-engine Boeing (BA.N), 737-800's belly landing at Muan International Airport and the reports of a possible bird strike all raised questions that could not yet be answered.

The single-aisle aircraft was seen in video broadcast on local media skidding down the runway with no landing gear deployed before hitting a wall in an explosion of flame and debris.

"At this point there are a lot more questions than we have answers. Why was the plane going so fast? Why were the flaps not open? Why was the landing gear not down?" said Gregory Alegi, an aviation expert and former teacher at Italy's air force academy.

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Deputy Transport Minister Joo Jong-wan said the runway's 2,800-metre length was not a contributing factor, and that walls at the ends were built to industry standards.

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