Preliminary report implicates Baikal Teal in South Korea crash tragedy after feathers found in both engines

                                     

Baikal Teal - common on South Korea's wetlands in winter (photo: Sarefo/ Wikimedia Commons)

 

THE Baikal Teal has been linked to the Jeju Airlines crash that last month tragically claimed 179 lives at Muan Airport in South Korea.

A preliminary report has revealed that blood and feathers of the duck were found in both engines of the Boeing 737-800.

However, though there was a bird strike, it is unlikely that this was a predominant cause of the tragedy - least of all the extent of loss of life when the plane subsequently collided at high speed with a wall at one end of the runway.

The species, which is thought to have increased from tens of thousands to more than a million birds over the past four decades, is named after the Baikal lake - the largest in Siberia and one of the largest in the world.

In winter, the bird is very common in South Korea, not least at Suncheon Bay which is near Muan Airport. 

There are 14 regional airports in South Korea. Between them, they recorded 559 bird-strike incidents between 2019 and August last year. Most occurred during take-off or landing. 

Out of these, only 20 were classified as causing damage.

The Baikal Teal is a small duck. Evidence suggests that it is generally only larger birds such as swans, geese and cranes which  are problematic, notably if they strike multiple systems or get sucked into engines, damaging blades.

As at other airports worldwide, Muan International will have bird-deterrent devices installed, but their effectiveness can never be guaranteed.

The aircraft that crash-landed was a Boeing 737-800, one of the world's most flown planes and one said to have a generally good safety record.

Its engineers are closely involved with the continuing investigation as are the manufacturer of the two engines, CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and French company Safron, plus airline company Jeju Air, Muan airport staff and other authorities and scientists.