Siberian Migratory Birds Linked to Deadly South Korean Plane Crash

Investigators confirm DNA from Gluckenten in engines of Jeju Air flight that crashed in December, killing 179 people.

A preliminary investigation found evidence of bird strikes involving Gluckenten, a Siberian migratory bird, in both engines of the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 that crashed in December 2024.
The crash occurred during an attempted emergency landing at Muan International Airport, where the plane landed without extended landing gear, collided with a concrete wall, and caught fire.
Both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder stopped functioning approximately four minutes before the crash, likely due to electrical system failures caused by the bird strikes.
The crash claimed the lives of 179 out of 181 passengers and crew, making it the deadliest aviation accident in South Korea's history; two crew members survived with severe injuries.
Investigators plan to disassemble and examine the engines further to gain more insights, with a final report expected in approximately one year.