Experts question bird strike theories as inquiry begins

As an investigation begins into the deadliest plane crash on South Korean soil, experts have questioned whether a bird strike could have caused the undercarriage to fail.

- TOM WATLING

Horrifying footage showed the plane skidding across the runway before colliding with a brick wall and bursting into flames. The only two survivors were two crew members who had been seated at the back of the plane.

“Why didn’t fire tenders lay foam on the runway? Why weren’t they in attendance when the plane touched down? And why did the aircraft touch down so far down the runway? And why was there a brick wall at the end of the runway?” said Geoffrey Thomas, editor of Airline News.

South Korean officials said they were investigating the cause of the crash, including a possible bird strike, as it emerged that air traffic controllers had warned the pilots of the risk of a collision just three minutes before the plane crashed into the runway. A minute after the warning, the pilots issued a mayday.

According to local media, a passenger on the flight sent a text message to a family member saying that a bird “was stuck in the wing” and that the plane couldn’t land. “Should I leave my last words?” the passenger then wrote.