Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "Accident Aircraft Pilot Declared 'Mayday' at 8:59 Due to Bird Strike"

Arrival of NTSB and Boeing Staff on the Evening of the 30th
Black Box Arrives at Gimpo Airport Aviation Railroad Accident Investigation Committee Analysis Room
Joint Investigation Officially Begins

146 Victims Identified by 2:30 PM

Firefighters are searching for fuel items at the site of the Jeju Air passenger plane collision and explosion accident that occurred 30 days ago at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated regarding the passenger plane accident at Jeonnam Muan International Airport, "The pilot declared a 'Mayday' due to a 'bird strike' for the first and only time at 8:59 and during the go-around process, communication with the air traffic controller became disrupted at some point, and while attempting to land again, the accident occurred." The Ministry officially revealed that the bird strike was the cause of this accident.

Joo Jong-wan, Director of the Aviation Policy Office at the Ministry, held a briefing on the afternoon of the 30th at 3 PM at the Government Complex Sejong titled 'Response to Jeju Air Passenger Plane Accident,' stating, "The black box recovered from the accident site arrived at the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board's analysis office at Gimpo Airport at 3 PM today." That evening, two staff members from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and two employees from Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, are scheduled to enter through Incheon International Airport, and a joint investigation focusing on the black box will officially begin.

According to the Ministry, the aircraft received a 'bird activity (strike) warning' from the control tower at 8:57 while approaching the runway for the first landing attempt. This warning is typically issued when a large flock of birds or a large bird is detected near the aircraft. Subsequently, the pilot detected an abnormality in the aircraft and declared a 'Mayday' at 8:59, about two minutes later. At that time, the pilot reportedly sent a distress signal by shouting "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday," followed by the notification "Bird strike, bird strike, going around," according to the Ministry.

Amid the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster that resulted in 179 deaths, local residents visiting the joint memorial altar set up at Muan Sports Park near Muan International Airport in Jeonnam on the 30th are paying their respects to the victims. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

At 9 AM, the aircraft attempted to land via runway 19, which is the opposite direction of the originally intended runway 01. Then, three minutes later at 9:03, the aircraft tried to land with the landing gear (aircraft wheels) not deployed, causing friction between the fuselage and the runway. Unable to reduce speed, it overshot the runway, crossed over a concrete mound (localizer), collided with the airport's outer wall, and exploded.

Director Joo added, "Generally, planes touch down about 400 meters from the start of the runway, but this aircraft touched down earlier than that."

Regarding concerns that the localizer (concrete mound) might have increased the damage by impacting the aircraft, he said, "Concrete localizers are used at Jeju Airport, Yeosu Airport, and overseas at Los Angeles Airport in the U.S. We are currently reviewing regulations related to localizers." The localizer facility provides signals from below so that pilots can confirm their alignment on the instrument panel during takeoff and landing. The localizer at Muan Airport consists of a concrete foundation and antenna installed on top of an earthen mound.

Meanwhile, as of 2:30 PM on the 30th, the Ministry announced that the identities of 146 deceased from the Jeonnam Muan International Airport passenger plane accident have been confirmed. Thirty-three individuals are undergoing identification through genetic analysis and fingerprinting. Joo Jong-wan, Director of the Aviation Policy Office at the Ministry, stated at the 3 PM briefing at the Government Complex Sejong, "The identified victims will be transported to funeral homes in consultation with their families."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.