Airport 'Bird Strikes' on the Rise... Prevention Falls Short Even with Deterrent Devices Deployed

Over 100 Cases Occur Annually Since 2021
Momentary Impact of One Cheongdung Duck Reaches 4.8 Tons

One of the suspected causes of the Jeju Air aircraft accident that occurred at Jeonnam Muan International Airport on the 29th is 'bird strike,' which has been occurring more than 100 times annually in South Korea since 2021, showing an increasing trend.

On the 29th, Yonhap News cited data from Korea Airports Corporation and others, reporting that a total of 623 bird strikes occurred at domestic airports over five and a half years from 2019 to the first half of this year. Looking at the numbers by year, there were 108 cases in 2019, which decreased to 76 in 2020 due to reduced transportation volume amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the numbers have steadily exceeded 100 each year since then: 109 in 2021, 131 in 2022, and 152 last year.

On the morning of the 29th, around 9 a.m., a Jeju Air aircraft landing at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do veered off the runway and collided with the outer fence wall. Photo by Yonhap News

Bird strikes refer to incidents where birds collide with an aircraft’s fuselage or engines during takeoff, landing, or cruising. Especially given the location characteristics of airports, many are situated in field areas, and numerous domestic airports are located near rivers or coastlines, increasing the likelihood of bird collisions. Climate change also acts as a factor that heightens this risk. Due to warming, migratory birds are becoming resident birds, and changes in the timing and species of bird appearances have increased the chances of collisions with aircraft.

Even this year, bird strikes occurred during aircraft takeoff and landing at Cheongju Airport and Incheon Airport in January. Additionally, there were seven flights that had to return due to bird strikes this year. On February 6th at Incheon Airport, shortly after takeoff, a bird flew into the aircraft’s engine and landing gear at about 17 feet (approximately 5.2 meters) altitude, causing the aircraft to return. On June 24th, a bird collided with the front of an aircraft running on the runway for takeoff, also resulting in a return.

When birds collide with fast-moving aircraft, a significant impact is exerted. For example, when a 900g mallard duck hits an aircraft ascending at 370 km/h, the instantaneous impact force on the aircraft reaches 4.8 tons. If a bird is sucked into the aircraft engine, it can lead to major accidents such as fires.

Airports nationwide are conducting various activities to prevent bird strikes. They contract with specialized service companies and deploy dedicated personnel to manage bird habitats. In addition, they utilize firearms, sonic deterrents, and ultrasonic repellents, but these measures are still insufficient to completely prevent accidents.

Similarly, bird strike accidents frequently occur overseas. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) reported that from 2008 to 2015, a total of 97,751 bird strikes occurred in 196 countries worldwide.

Representative accidents include the 2009 incident in the United States, where an aircraft departing from New York LaGuardia Airport en route to Charlotte, North Carolina, collided with a flock of birds shortly after takeoff, causing both engines to fail. The aircraft made an emergency landing on the Hudson River in New York a few minutes later, with all 150 passengers and 5 crew members surviving. This accident was later called the "Miracle on the Hudson." Another example is the August 15, 2019, incident in Moscow, Russia, where an Airbus A321 collided with a flock of seagulls shortly after takeoff, causing engine failure. The aircraft made a belly landing in a cornfield, injuring about 70 people in the accident.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.