Bird strike, adverse weather likely caused fatal S. Korea plane crash

Rescue personnel are seen near the tail section of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft after the plane crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, some 288 kilometres southwest of Seoul on December 29, 2024. Agence France-Presse

SEOUL — A bird strike and adverse weather likely caused a fatal Jeju Air crash in South Korea, the local fire chief said Sunday, as video showed the plane being engulfed in flames on landing.

“The cause of the accident is presumed to be a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions. However, the exact cause will be announced following a joint investigation,” Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of Muan fire station, said during a briefing.

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