Kim Youn-mi, representing the families, stated on 22/7, "No one has directly seen or heard the information from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data. We haven't received a clear explanation about these things. We need to hear it to know. It's our right."
The Korea Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) met with the families last week to share the preliminary findings of their investigation.
The ARAIB representative said the pilot, intending to shut down the right engine, which had been damaged by a bird strike, mistakenly switched off the functioning left engine. The ARAIB planned to release the preliminary findings to the media immediately after the meeting, but canceled the press conference due to strong objections from the families.
The Jeju Air pilots' union also criticized the ARAIB's preliminary conclusion, expressing outrage and vowing to "firmly refute the malicious attempt to blame the pilot".
The families argued that the ARAIB's explanation failed to address key questions, such as the specific condition of the damaged engine and the number of birds involved in the strike. "We have requested the release of flight data and cockpit recordings for objective verification, but this has not yet been granted," the families' representative said.
Reuters, citing an informed source, reported that investigators will not change their conclusion due to "clear evidence and backup data." The complete investigation report is expected in 6/2026.
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Rescue workers at the scene of the Jeju Air crash in 12/2024. Photo: AP |
On 29/12/2024, the Jeju Air plane carrying 181 people suffered a bird strike to its right engine while attempting to land at Muan Airport in South Jeolla Province.
The pilot aborted the landing and applied power, but the aircraft failed to gain altitude, likely due to the mistaken shutdown of the left engine. The plane then circled at low altitude and attempted a belly landing on the opposite end of the runway.
The Boeing 737-800 was unable to decelerate, ran off the runway, and crashed into a concrete wall, breaking apart and catching fire. The crash resulted in 179 fatalities, making it South Korea's deadliest aviation accident to date.
Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, Yonhap, Aero Time)
