Regarding the "bird collision," which was identified as one of the initial causes of the Jeju Air passenger plane crash at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do, animal protection groups have expressed concern over some views of animals such as migratory birds as targets for expulsion.
Animal Liberation Wave said in a statement on the 31st: "We extend our condolences to the bereaved family and all those affected by the accident," adding: "We must accurately identify the cause of the accident and those responsible as soon as possible and make a fundamental effort to prevent such a tragedy from happening again." "Measures must be put in place," it said.
The organization emphasizes that "engine damage due to bird strikes is cited as one of the causes of the accident" and that "we are deeply concerned that animals such as migratory birds are being targeted for expulsion." From 2019 to the first half of this year, approximately 600 bird strikes occurred at domestic airports, and more than 10,000 similar cases occurred in the United States.
According to a report by the US Federal Aviation Administration, the number of collisions between wildlife and civilian aircraft increased from 2,088 in 1990 to 19,367 last year, including 18,394 with birds, or 95,% of the total.
The group stated, "Concerns about bird collisions have been constantly raised at Muan Airport, Saemangeum International Airport, New Gadeokdo Airport, and Jeju 2nd Airport, etc.," adding, "The problem cannot be solved by increasing staff to prevent bird collisions." They stated, "We deeply mourn all the victims of the disaster," adding, "We will strive to create a safe and peaceful place for animals and humans to live."
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which oversees aviation safety, is assessing the possibility that the crash was caused by a collision with a bird, but doubts are also growing over structural issues, such as whether the runway that collided with the passenger plane's fuselage meets standards.
Another task is to determine the circumstances that led to the deaths of 179 of the 181 passengers. Many domestic and foreign experts are wondering whether the "location antenna," a structure located in front of the outer wall at the end of the runway where the crashed plane collided, may have exacerbated the disaster. Questions also remain about whether an engine, braking system, and landing gear malfunctioned.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport is collecting the aircraft's flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), also known as "black boxes," to see if they can be analyzed. Deciphering a black box, which is considered the first step in a plane crash investigation, is known to take about a week if the aircraft is intact, and usually about a month. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing, the manufacturer of the crashed plane, are also participating in the investigation.
Reporter Kim Dong-hwan kimcharr@segye.com
[ⓒ세계일보 & Segye.com, 무단전재및재배포금지]
English 
French