Insights from Jeju Air Crash: Pilots’ Final Communications Revealed

A partial transcript of communications between the pilots of Jeju Air Flight 2216 and air traffic controllers before the December crash is raising questions about possible causes of the fatal accident, as investigators continue to analyze the circumstances.

The pilots of Jeju Air Flight 2216, which tragically crashed on December 29, resulting in the loss of 179 lives, indicated multiple landing approaches in the moments leading up to the disaster, according to a partial transcript of their dialogue with air traffic control. This document shines a light on crucial details that could explain the circumstances of the crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea.

The transcripts, recently revealed, show the pilots reported having encountered a bird strike and issued a mayday call while approaching the airport. They initially signaled their intent to turn left, only to later request a right turn to approach the airport runway from the south. However, when these attempts failed, air traffic controllers offered the option of a landing from the opposite direction, which the pilots accepted.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, ultimately landed on its belly, overran the runway, and collided with a concrete structure, resulting in a catastrophic fireball. Remarkably, only two individuals, flight attendants located at the rear of the plane, survived the incident.

The Jeju Air crash, the deadliest in South Korean history, remains under investigation, and experts believe that the pilots’ communication with air traffic controllers could serve as a vital element in determining the cause of the accident. Notably, this conversation pertains to a timeframe of approximately four minutes during which the flight recorders, known as black boxes, ceased operations.

Details from the transcript do not reveal the condition of the aircraft’s engines or its electrical systems, both of which are critical areas of inquiry for investigators. Furthermore, the reasons behind the black boxes losing signal and the failure of the landing gear to deploy remain unclear.

The transcript was shared with the victims' relatives during a session led by a representative of a board tasked with crash investigation, who excluded certain parts of the conversation to maintain participant privacy. The official account has not yet been publicly released, and inquiries for further comment from the investigation board have not received a response.