Duck DNA Found in Both Engines of Jeju Air Plane that Crashed

Jeju Air plane crash last month was indicated to have both engines of the Boeing 737-800 containing DNA from a migratory Duck species known as Baikal Teals. The news sent shockwaves into the public, after preliminary investigations led by authorities following the fatal December 29, 2024 crash. However, the cause of the crash is still unclear. Experts are working to determine how the plane ended up belly-landing without its landing gear deployed.

DUCK DNA in Engine

Remains of Baikal Teal have been found inside both engines, according to a six-page preliminary report issued on Monday by South Korean authorities. These are the same migratory ducks known to fly to South Korea in large flocks over the winter months. A bird strike is suspected, though this is still to be confirmed from the findings.

Cause of Crash Still Unverified

Although the bird strike has emerged as an important consideration in the inquiry into this accident, there were no definitive accounts of how it may have precipitated an emergency belly landing, and failure of landing gear extension before that event. Furthermore, no clear answers are forthcoming for how and why the flight recorders malfunctioned for the final four minutes of the flight. All of these would form crucial points in the investigation going forward.

The crash happened when the Jeju Air flight, which had originated in Bangkok, overran the runway at Muan Airport. The Boeing 737-800 made a belly landing and crashed into an embankment that contained critical navigation equipment. The accident resulted in the deaths of 179 out of the 181 passengers and crew members on board.

Navigation Equipment Likely Contributed to High Fatalities

The reinforced concrete structure of the embankment, upon which the antennae of the localizer system of the airport were mounted, is surmised to have contributed to the heavy toll of death.

Localizer helps guide aircraft during the final approach to the runway and its presence near the site of the crash probably resulted in additional fatalities.

“After the crash into the embankment, fire and a partial explosion occurred. Both engines were buried in the embankment’s soil mound, and the fore fuselage scattered up to 30-200 meters from the embankment,” the report said, providing some new pictures of the accident site.

“These all-out investigation activities aim to determine the accurate cause of the accident,” it said.

Mayday Call and Abnormal Data Recordings

The report further confirmed the declaration of emergencies three times: the pilots declared that a bird strike occurred as they were nearing the final approach but could not, however, report the exact moment when the strike occurred. A further investigation is also conducted on the reason that the CVR and FDR failed simultaneously close to the point when the emergency occurred.

The aircraft was at a height of 498 feet, a speed of 161 knots, and some 1.1 nautical miles from the runway when recorders stopped.

As part of the investigation process, South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board shared the report with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and authorities in Thailand, the United States, and France, who represent the plane and engine manufacturers. ICAO recommends that a final report be released within 12 months.