The investigation into the tragic Jeju Air plane crash, which resulted in the deaths of 179 individuals last December, has reignited anger among the victims’ families after a recent report pointed to pilot error as the primary cause. Local media revealed that the report, set to be released over the weekend, faced delays largely due to protests from grieving relatives who accuse investigators of unfairly assigning blame to the pilot while ignoring critical factors that contributed to the catastrophic outcome.
During the incident, which marked the deadliest plane crash in South Korea's history, Jeju Air Flight 2216 encountered a bird strike as it approached Muan International Airport. The aircraft subsequently crash-landed on the tarmac without its landing gear deployed, colliding with a concrete barrier. This barrier, the families assert, played a significant role in the severity of the crash.
The investigation by South Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board found that the pilot inadvertently shut down the left engine, which was unaffected, instead of the right engine that had sustained damage from the bird strike. However, families of the victims argue that the absence of mention regarding the concrete barriers in the report minimizes the broader context of the crash.
In their statement, the bereaved families urged for a fair and thorough inquiry into the accident. They called on investigators to ensure that all factors are weighed in future disclosures, stressing the need for clarity and transparency. Similarly, the Jeju Air pilots' union echoed their sentiments, criticizing the report for emphasizing pilot error while downplaying other contributing elements.
Despite their concerns, a source involved in the investigation indicated that the findings are unlikely to be revised as they are supported by "clear evidence and backup data." Following the tragedy, South Korea's transport ministry initiated plans to remove concrete barriers at seven different airports in order to enhance safety measures.
Meanwhile, in May, relatives of the victims also filed a criminal complaint against Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae, asserting professional negligence amid an ongoing police investigation involving 24 individuals linked to the accident. As families strive for justice, the call for accountability and systemic change in aviation safety continues to rise.
