Following the report identifying pilot error as a key factor in the tragic Jeju Air crash, families of the victims challenge the investigation's conclusions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of the incident, including the role of the runway design.
Families Demand Accountability as Investigation Points to Pilot Error in Jeju Air Crash
Families Demand Accountability as Investigation Points to Pilot Error in Jeju Air Crash
Victims' families protest findings that attribute the catastrophic Jeju Air crash to pilot error; call for a thorough review of all contributing factors.
Families of the victims of last December's Jeju Air plane crash are voicing their discontent with an investigation report that attributes the disaster to pilot error. The report is set for release after prolonged delays due to family protests and outrage over its findings, which they claim absolve other critical factors. The crash, which took place at Muan International Airport, was the deadliest aviation incident in South Korean history, resulting in 179 fatalities out of 181 passengers and crew aboard.
On December 29, Jeju Air Flight 2216 reported a bird strike while approaching the runway, prompting the pilots to issue a mayday call. Attempting an emergency landing from an alternate direction, the crew conducted a belly landing without deploying landing gear, ultimately skidding into a concrete barrier. Investigators later found that the pilot mistakenly shut down the left engine, which was undamaged, rather than the right engine that sustained significant damage from the bird strike.
Families are contesting the report, arguing it neglects the crucial detail of the concrete barrier's presence, which contributed to the crash's severity. "We demand a fair and transparent investigation," stated the bereaved families, calling for a reevaluation of evidence and a more profound scrutiny of all accident factors before any public release.
The Jeju Air pilots' union has echoed these concerns, criticizing investigators for their focus on pilot error while downplaying systemic issues. Despite these appeals for comprehensive analysis, a source with knowledge of the investigation claimed that the report's findings would remain unchanged, citing strong backing for their conclusions. In response to the tragedy, South Korea's transport ministry announced plans to remove concrete barriers from seven airports.
As part of the ongoing fallout from the incident, families have filed a criminal complaint against Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, among others, citing professional negligence. The investigation continues to unfold, with police probing the involvement of numerous individuals in the tragedy’s circumstances.
