Final investigation report published by South Korean aviation authorities or international aviation bodies

Bird Feathers and Blood in Both Engines of Crashed Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, Resulting in 179 Deaths

Jan 17, 2025, 07:24 AM

Investigators have discovered bird feathers and blood in both engines of the Jeju Air jet that crashed in South Korea last month, resulting in the deaths of 179 people. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which had departed from Bangkok, Thailand, and was heading to Muan county in southwestern South Korea, attempted a belly-landing and overshot the runway, subsequently crashing into an embankment and bursting into flames. Only two crew members at the rear of the plane survived the incident, which is noted as the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil. The crash occurred after a reported bird strike, with one of the pilots declaring an emergency about four minutes before the fatal crash. Air traffic control had warned of bird activity in the area two minutes prior to the emergency call. The discovery of feathers and blood in both engines suggests that a bird strike may have contributed to the failure of both engines, leading to a loss of power and the subsequent crash.