In brief
Investigation launched into possible causes, including mechanical failure and bird strikes.
A tragic event unfolded in South Korea as a Boeing 737-800 passenger plane crashed while attempting to land at Muan Airport, resulting in the death of 179 out of the 181 individuals aboard. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has prompted an immediate investigation focusing on potential causes such as a malfunction with the landing gear or a bird strike, according to officials.Encounters between aircraft and wildlife, particularly birds, are commonplace in aviation; however, they rarely lead to fatal outcomes. From 1988 to 2023, wildlife strikes resulted in 76 fatalities within the United States alone, based on a report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Most incidents involve birds, but the FAA also categorizes other encounters with animals like coyotes and deer as wildlife strikes.The report indicates that in the past year, U.S. aviation witnessed 19,603 wildlife strike incidents, averaging 54 strikes daily. Of these encounters, approximately 3.6% resulted in damage to the aircraft, highlighting a significant concern regarding aviation safety.The investigation into this particular crash will look closely at previous incidents, particularly a notable case in March 2019 involving Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which tragically lost all 157 aboard following a similar aircraft model crash. This incident reignites discussions surrounding the safety measures needed to mitigate these risks.
