Families Reject Findings Blaming Pilot Error in Jeju Air Disaster

The families of victims from the tragic Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash are voicing strong disapproval of a recent investigation report which attributes the disaster to pilot error, arguing that crucial factors were overlooked.

An in-depth analysis of South Korea's gravest aviation tragedy has indicated that a pilot mistakenly shut off the incorrect engine, according to reports from local media. The catastrophic incident occurred in December when Jeju Air Flight 2216, with 181 individuals on board, crashed into a concrete barrier while attempting to land at Muan International Airport after suffering a bird strike on one of its engines.

The official report, which was expected to be released last weekend, faced delays due to objections from the victims' families who had received preliminary insights into the findings. They contend that the investigation has unjustly shifted the blame to the pilot, neglecting critical factors that contributed to the event.

On the morning of December 29, as the flight approached the runway, the pilots reported a bird strike and declared an emergency. Attempting to land from an alternative direction, the aircraft subsequently made a belly landing without its landing gear and skidded, impeding into a concrete barrier. Investigators found that the pilot had turned off the left engine—unharmed—rather than the right, which had sustained severe damage from the bird strike.

Families have criticized the report for failing to address the presence of the concrete barrier at the end of the runway, arguing that it played a significant role in the accident's severity. Their calls for a comprehensive and impartial investigation persist, alongside demands for the release of information only after thorough scrutiny.

The pilots' union for Jeju Air has likewise voiced concerns over the conclusions, suggesting that the focus on pilot error minimizes other contributing elements. Nevertheless, sources close to the investigation maintain that the findings will not be altered, citing solid evidence to support their claims.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, South Korean transport officials announced plans to remove concrete barriers from several airports, and in May, victim families lodged a criminal complaint against Jeju Air's CEO for alleged professional negligence—all while investigations into 24 individuals related to the crash continue.