Families of the victims of last December's Jeju Air plane crash are voicing strong disapproval towards a newly released investigation report that blames pilot error for the disaster. The report, delayed due to intense protests from grieving families, found that the pilot mistakenly shut down the wrong engine during an emergency landing at Muan International Airport. Tragically, only two of the 181 people aboard survived as the aircraft crashed into a concrete barrier and erupted into flames.
On December 29, the flight had reported a bird strike and made an emergency mayday call, attempting to land from an alternate direction. In footage of the incident, viewers could see the plane attempting a belly landing without its landing gear prior to skidding into the barrier. Investigators revealed that the pilot had turned off the left engine, which had no defects, rather than the right engine, which had sustained damage from the bird strike.
Victims’ families contend that the report overlooks significant factors, such as the concrete barrier, which they argue contributed greatly to the severity of the crash. They expressed their dissatisfaction, demanding a fair and thorough investigation, and requested full press briefings only after complete assessments. Furthermore, the Jeju Air pilots' union criticized the findings for allegedly emphasizing pilot error while neglecting other crucial elements involved.
Despite the backlash, a source close to the investigation claims there is clear evidence supporting the report's conclusions, insisting that the findings will not change. In response to the tragedy, South Korea's transport ministry announced plans to remove similar concrete barriers from seven other airports to enhance safety. Meanwhile, families have filed a criminal complaint against Jeju Air’s CEO, citing professional negligence, as part of an ongoing investigation into the accident.
