A preliminary investigation into the catastrophic Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash, which killed 179 of 181 passengers and crew on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport, has stirred intense controversy. The South Korean Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) found that pilots mistakenly shut down the less-damaged left engine after a bird strike, leaving the Boeing 737-800 reliant on a severely damaged right engine. This action, based on cockpit voice recorder, flight data, and engine switch evidence, is believed to have contributed to the plane’s belly landing and subsequent collision with a concrete barrier, resulting in South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades.

The report, initially set for public release on July 19, was withdrawn after vehement protests from victims’ families and the Jeju Air pilots’ union, who accused investigators of prematurely blaming the deceased pilots while ignoring other factors, such as the concrete localizer structure that exacerbated the crash’s impact. “If they claim a reliable investigation, they must provide clear evidence,” said Kim Yu-jin, head of the bereaved families’ association, emphasizing that families do not resent the pilots.

The Korean Pilot Unions Alliance, representing 6,500 pilots, condemned the ARAIB for lacking neutrality, demanding full disclosure of flight data and cockpit recordings. They argue the report overlooks systemic issues, including Muan Airport’s high bird strike rate and the non-frangible concrete barrier housing navigation antennas. A source close to the investigation noted that authorities are also examining air traffic control communications and Jeju Air’s pilot training, with a final report expected by June 2026.

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Aviation expert Kwon Bo Hun criticized the report as “clumsy” for failing to substantiate its findings, while a former Transport Ministry official insisted the data from recorders is indisputable. Amid the uproar, the Transport Ministry has pledged to remove concrete barriers at seven airports, signaling broader safety reforms.

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