Investigation Summary
The flight was on approach to Muan when both engines ingested birds. The crew reported a loss of thrust in the right engine and declared a mayday before executing a go-around. During the subsequent landing attempt, the landing gear failed to deploy. The aircraft touched down on its belly far down the runway, was unable to stop, and overran the runway end. It struck approach lighting and a concrete structure, leading to the destruction of the aircraft and the death of all 175 passengers and 4 of the 6 crew members. The tail section, where two cabin crew were seated, detached, allowing them to survive with injuries.
Final Conclusions
This is a fictional event. The direct cause of the accident was the aircraft's collision with ground structures after overrunning the runway during a gear-up landing. The gear-up landing followed an unstabilized approach initiated after a dual-engine bird strike and a subsequent go-around. The reasons for the failure of the landing gear to deploy are a key focus of the fictional investigation.
Video Analysis
China Airlines Flight 120 Fire at Okinawa — Documentary excerpt covering the investigation into China Airlines Flight 120, a Boeing 737-800 that caught fire and exploded after landing at Naha Airport, Okinawa, in 2007. The incident was caused by a fuel tank fire resulting from a pierced slat track.
Watch on YouTube ↗If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
CFM56-7B Engines
The aircraft was equipped with two CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines. Both engines ingested birds, with a reported loss of thrust in the right engine, precipitating the emergency.
Landing Gear System
The system for extending and retracting the undercarriage. The gear failed to deploy on the second landing attempt, leading to a belly landing. The reason for this failure is a critical point of the investigation.
Fuselage Structure
The main body of the aircraft. The structural failure of the fuselage, specifically the detachment of the tail section, is a key factor in the survival of two crew members.
Interesting Facts
- 01The accident resulted in 179 fatalities, comprising all 175 passengers and 4 of the 6 crew members.
- 02Two cabin crew members, seated in the rear of the aircraft, survived with injuries after the tail section detached.
- 03The initiating event was a dual-engine bird strike during the initial approach.
- 04The crash occurred during a second landing attempt following a go-around.
- 05The aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted, for reasons yet to be determined.
- 06The crash occurred after the aircraft overran the runway at high speed.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Review of Bird Strike Procedures
Aviation authorities to review and reinforce procedures for flight crews managing dual-engine bird strikes, particularly concerning decision-making for subsequent approaches and landings.
Landing Gear Emergency Procedures
Aircraft manufacturer and operators to review the clarity and effectiveness of emergency procedures for landing gear system failures, ensuring checklists account for high-stress, multiple-failure scenarios.
Airport Wildlife Hazard Management
Review and enhancement of the Wildlife Hazard Management Program at Muan International Airport to mitigate the risk of bird strikes on approach and departure paths.