By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A preliminary report on the Jeju Air crash revealed duck remains in both engines, though the cause of the deadliest air disaster in South Korean history remains undetermined. The Boeing 737-800 belly-landed after a reported bird strike, with flight recorders ceasing operation four minutes prior to the emergency declaration. The investigation will analyze engine components, flight data, and the impact site, including the localizer embankment that likely exacerbated casualties. The report, shared internationally, is part of an ongoing investigation aiming to determine the accident’s cause.
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Duck DNA has been found in both engines of the Jeju Air plane that crashed, according to a report. This immediately raises questions about the role of bird strikes in the catastrophic event. The presence of duck DNA in both engines suggests a significant impact from avian life, potentially leading to dual engine failure. This raises the obvious question of how two engines could fail simultaneously due to bird strikes. It’s a scenario that initially seems improbable, given the size and power of the engines relative to the size of a duck.
This dual engine failure, however, may explain several puzzling aspects of the accident. The report doesn’t offer initial conclusions on the cause of the crash, but it makes sense to think about this event in terms of a sequence of unfortunate events. If both engines failed simultaneously, the loss of hydraulic power could explain the inability to deploy the landing gear, a crucial element contributing to the severity of the crash.
The fact that the flight data recorders (FDR) and cockpit voice recorders (CVR) stopped recording four minutes before the crash further complicates matters. In the case of a 737NG, the absence of battery backups for these recorders means that a total loss of alternating current (AC) power—which may have been caused by the dual engine failure—could result in the complete cessation of recording.
The pilots’ response to the dual engine failure is also a point of critical analysis. Instead of attempting a landing on the runway ahead, they performed a go-around and attempted a 180-degree turn to land in the opposite direction. This maneuver, while understandable given the emergency, introduced additional challenges due to loss of power and the need for speed and altitude control.
The subsequent crash into a concrete revetment is another major element. The high-speed impact is what turned an already terrible situation into an unsurvivable one. Many speculate the force of the impact on the embankment significantly increased the severity of the crash and prevented many, perhaps all, survivors.
The lack of readily available ground-based radar data tracking the plane’s altitude and groundspeed in the final minutes adds to the difficulty in understanding the sequence of events. The absence of this crucial data makes it hard to ascertain if the plane was already at a dangerous altitude or speed before the bird strikes occurred. It remains unclear if this initial approach was indeed too high or fast.
The question of whether the pilots might have inadvertently shut down a functional engine further complicates the investigation. While the duck DNA evidence strongly suggests a double bird strike, the possibility of pilot error cannot be ruled out without a comprehensive investigation.
The discovery of duck DNA in both engines is remarkable for its precision. While some debate the sensitivity of the DNA tests used and whether DNA alone is sufficient evidence to prove a bird strike, this aspect of the investigation highlights the evolving capabilities of forensic science in accident investigations. The ability to detect and analyze such minute biological traces from a damaged engine speaks to advances in DNA analysis techniques.
The accident highlights a need for better bird strike prevention mechanisms in aircraft engines. While mesh screens and other such innovations are discussed, the engineering challenges are significant. The balance between protecting the engine from bird strikes and maintaining sufficient airflow for optimal performance is a complex design challenge.
In conclusion, the finding of duck DNA in both engines of the crashed Jeju Air plane is a critical piece of the puzzle, but it’s only a piece. A full understanding of this tragic event requires further investigation, data analysis, and expert review. The combination of unusual events—dual engine failure, loss of recording, difficult maneuver, and the deadly impact with the embankment—suggests a confluence of factors that require a detailed investigation before any conclusive explanation of this devastating accident can be made. The case brings to light the vulnerabilities of large aircraft in unexpected scenarios and prompts reflections on the safety measures in place and the need for future improvements.