These first-hand testimonies lay bare the terrifying final moments of the flight and the sheer devastation that followed in its wake.
The Distress Signal and the Quest for Causes
In the throes of the impending disaster, the plane transmitted a distress signal, alerting air traffic controllers to the emergency. Subsequently, Korean transport ministry officials verified that the control tower had issued a bird strike warning to the pilots prior to landing. While bird strikes are relatively rare, they can pose a grave menace to aircraft, potentially inflicting damage on engines or other vital systems.