The families of the victims of last December's Jeju Air crash have expressed their anger and disappointment over an investigation report that attributes the tragedy to pilot error. The report, which was set to be released over the weekend, faced delays due to significant protests from the bereaved families. These families were briefed on the results prior to the public disclosure and contend that investigators improperly focused on the pilot's mistakes while neglecting other factors that contributed to the accident.
On December 29, Jeju Air Flight 2216, carrying 181 individuals, crashed during landing at Muan International Airport, resulting in 179 fatalities in the worst aviation disaster in South Korean history. The aircraft reportedly suffered a bird strike, prompting the pilots to make a mayday call. Videos captured the plane's belly landing, which occurred without its landing gear extended, ultimately leading the aircraft to slide into a concrete barrier.
According to sources from South Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, the pilot wrongly shut down the functioning left engine instead of the severely compromised right engine, which led to the crash. However, families have brought attention to the concrete barrier, claiming it significantly aggravated the fatality count and should have been included in the investigation’s analysis.
The relatives demand a thorough and transparent review of the case and have requested a press briefing only once comprehensive findings are available. The Jeju Air pilots' union similarly criticized the report among claims it unfairly emphasized pilot error and failed to consider other factors involved.
In response to the crash, South Korea's transport ministry confirmed in January that it would remove similar concrete barriers from seven airports. Additionally, in May, families filed a criminal complaint against Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae, among others, for professional negligence, resulting in an investigation by police into their involvement in the incident.
