Families of the victims from the Jeju Air Flight 2216 disaster are voicing their discontent with an investigation that attributes fault to the pilot. This incident, which occurred in December at Muan International Airport, is regarded as South Korea's worst air mishap, leaving only two of the 181 individuals aboard alive. Reports from local media suggest the pilot mistakenly shut down the wrong engine following a bird strike.
The crash took place on December 29 when the aircraft encountered a bird strike as it approached the runway. In distress, the pilots made a mayday call, and video footage captured a troubling belly landing with the plane skidding into a concrete barrier. South Korean investigators have confirmed that the left engine—a healthy one—was shut down instead of the damaged engine on the right.
Families have expressed frustration with the report, arguing that it disregards the role of the concrete barrier, which they believe exacerbated the severity of the incident. They are demanding rigorous and transparent investigation efforts and insist that the examination should include all potential risks, not just pilot error.
The Jeju Air pilots' union has also criticized the investigation report, saying it places too much blame on pilots while neglecting systemic safety issues. Despite their objections, sources close to the investigation assert that the findings will remain unchanged due to substantial evidence backing their conclusions.
In the wake of the crash, South Korea's transportation officials have committed to removing concrete barriers from seven airports to enhance safety. Families of the victims have filed a criminal complaint against the airline's CEO and others, seeking justice for the tragic loss of life as the investigation continues.
