Families of victims of the Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash are voicing outrage following the release of an investigation suggesting pilot error was the primary cause of the disaster. On December 29, the plane, carrying 181 people, crashed into a concrete barrier at Muan International Airport after a bird strike led to a mayday call and an emergency landing attempt. Tragically, only two survived.
Local media reported that the South Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board found that the pilot mistakenly shut off the functioning left engine rather than the damaged right engine. However, the families argue this conclusion overlooks critical factors, particularly the presence of a concrete mound at the end of the runway that exacerbated the crash's severity.
In response to the investigation’s findings, the bereaved families demanded a comprehensive and unbiased review, expressing concerns about being briefed on results prematurely. A statement from the families called for a transparent process, urging officials to delay public announcements until a thorough assessment was completed.
Additionally, the Jeju Air pilots' union echoed these sentiments, arguing that the findings improperly placed sole responsibility on the pilot while neglecting other operational factors. A source familiar with the investigation maintained that the findings would remain unchanged due to "clear evidence and backup data" supporting the conclusions reached.
In light of the accident, South Korea's transport ministry announced plans to dismantle concrete barriers at seven airports, acknowledging the need for improved safety measures. Meanwhile, the families of the victims have filed a criminal complaint against Jeju Air's chief executive, Kim E-bae, highlighting broader concerns about accountability amidst ongoing investigations involving 24 individuals in connection to the tragic event.
