The content discusses the events leading up to a deadly air crash in South Korea that occurred following a bird strike. Ten days before the crash, officials held a meeting to address the increasing number of bird strikes at Muan International Airport. Concerns were raised about the inadequate measures in place to keep birds away from planes landing at the airport. Despite warnings dating back decades, including environmental assessments highlighting the risk of bird strikes, the necessary preventive measures were not implemented.
Following the crash, which claimed the lives of 179 out of 181 people on board, investigations revealed evidence of bird feathers and blood in the jet’s engines. The remains were identified as belonging to the Baikal teal, a migratory duck common in South Korea during the winter. The lack of proper equipment such as thermal imaging cameras and bird detection radar at Muan Airport, in breach of international guidelines, compounded the risk of bird strikes.
It was revealed that the airport’s operators failed to comply with domestic safety regulations, such as understaffing bird patrollers and not following government standards for bird collision prevention. Despite years of knowing about these shortcomings, little had been done to address them, according to opposition lawmakers. In response to the crash, South Korea’s government pledged millions of dollars to enhance bird-strike prevention measures at airports across the country.
Experts questioned whether Muan Airport should have been built given its proximity to bird habitats, with data showing it reported the highest number of bird strikes among the country’s airports over the past five years. Conservationists argued that the airport’s location disregarded bird sanctuaries and habitat areas, contributing to the high rate of strikes. A proposed airport in Saemangeum, which lies close to protected wildlife areas, has sparked concerns among activists who fear a repeat of the Muan crash.
Efforts to deter birds from airports include using brightly colored paint on runways and deploying drones to disperse flocks. However, experts caution that bird strikes cannot be completely eliminated, emphasizing the importance of avoiding building airports in bird-heavy areas. The closure of Muan Airport following the crash has raised questions about South Korea’s plans to build new airports along the western coastline and the potential risks to wildlife habitats. Conservationists urge authorities to prioritize wildlife protection in future airport development projects.
