Preliminary findings from an investigation into the tragic Jeju Air crash in South Korea in December reveal that both engines of the aircraft experienced bird strikes. However, prior to the crash landing, the pilots switched off the less-damaged engine. This conclusion has sparked outrage among the families of victims and fellow pilots, who accuse officials of deflecting blame from the airline’s management and the aircraft’s technical issues onto the deceased pilots.
Initially, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board planned to release a detailed report on the investigation last weekend but had to cancel the press briefing due to strong protests by relatives of the victims. According to Kim Yu-jin, head of a bereaved families association, there is a call for solid evidence to substantiate the investigation’s conclusions, stressing support for the pilots rather than blame.
The Boeing 737-800, which was involved in the accident at Muan International Airport, ended up landing on its belly without deploying its landing gear, ultimately crashing into a concrete structure and igniting. It was reported as South Korea’s most deadly aviation disaster in decades, claiming 179 lives out of 181 onboard.
The preliminary report indicated that while the right engine suffered significant internal damage in the resulting fire, the pilots deactivated the left engine, based on data from the cockpit voice and flight data recorders. However, the report did not clarify why this decision was made and did not categorically conclude that it was a misjudgment by the pilots.
Criticism of the investigation has been fierce, with airline pilots and bereaved families demanding greater transparency, especially regarding the cockpit recordings. The Korean Pilot Unions Alliance expressed anger over the implications that the investigation has eroded its neutrality. Additionally, pilots argued for the exploration of other possible contributing factors to the crash, such as the construction of the concrete obstacle that the aircraft hit during the landing attempt.
Authorities are also examining whether air traffic control provided timely warnings about bird strikes and the adequacy of emergency training provided by Jeju Air to its pilots. While efforts were made to focus on engine issues in the initial findings, other potential causes have not been sufficiently addressed.
Moving forward, the aim is to release comprehensive findings by June next year, with experts highlighting the need for a credible analysis to avoid unwarranted blame being placed on the deceased pilots. The ongoing scrutiny suggests a collective urgency for a thorough investigation that encompasses all facets of the incident.