In a tragic aviation disaster that claimed 179 lives, investigators have revealed that the pilots of a South Korean passenger plane may have shut down the wrong engine after a bird strike — a decision that may have ultimately led to the deadly crash at Muan International Airport.
The Jeju Air flight, carrying 181 people from Bangkok to South Korea on 29 December 2024, encountered a flock of birds during its descent. One engine was severely damaged, prompting the pilots to respond — but investigators believe they mistakenly turned off the functioning engine instead of the failed one. This critical error left the aircraft without sufficient power to complete its emergency landing.
The jet attempted to land belly-first on the opposite end of the runway after aborting its initial approach. It crashed into a concrete slab and exploded into a fireball, leaving behind charred wreckage, thick smoke and only two survivors — both members of the crew.
Black Box Power Cut Delayed Early Investigation
A particularly alarming detail from the investigation is that power to the flight recorders was lost in the final four minutes of the flight, complicating the inquiry during its early stages. This prevented authorities from immediately retrieving crucial data about the cockpit’s final actions and decisions.
Despite this setback, aviation officials concluded that the aircraft itself did not suffer from any mechanical faults. Investigators confirmed there were no defects in the engines, suggesting human error played a significant role in the fatal crash. In addition to the wrong engine being shut down, the crew was also found to have landed too quickly, with the landing gear still retracted.
Authorities added that the pilots deviated from standard procedure after the bird strike, choosing instead to climb and make a rushed landing attempt from the opposite direction — a move that tragically failed.
Families Express Outrage at Investigators’ Conclusions
During a recent press briefing, grieving relatives stormed the session in protest, accusing authorities of unfairly blaming the pilots. Officials had to withdraw copies of the interim findings from reporters as the emotional confrontation unfolded.
Kim Yu-jin, a representative of the victims’ families, criticised the report for offering conclusions without sufficient supporting documentation. “When investigators take a position, it should be accompanied by documents that support their position and convince the bereaved family that their conclusions are inevitable,” she said.
One family member was overheard shouting, “They’ve just blamed it all on the pilots,” expressing the growing sentiment that the full truth behind the crash has yet to be addressed — especially as compensation discussions continue.
Crash Timeline Reveals Chaotic Final Moments
According to the timeline of events, the flight departed Bangkok at 4.29am and was on final approach to Muan International Airport by 8.57am. Within a minute of receiving a bird strike warning, the pilot issued a mayday call. Witnesses on the ground reported hearing an “explosion” overhead, with video footage appearing to show birds hitting the aircraft.
At 9.00am, the pilot aborted the first landing attempt. Three minutes later, the aircraft crash-landed on its belly on Runway 19, igniting a massive fireball. Emergency services arrived swiftly, rescuing the two surviving crew members from the tail section of the plane.
Public Outcry and Aviation Safety Concerns
This tragedy marks South Korea’s deadliest aviation incident in over 20 years and has raised serious concerns about cockpit procedures and emergency response training. It also spotlights broader issues of bird strike prevention near airports — a known hazard in aviation that continues to pose life-threatening risks.
Aviation experts have noted that shutting down the wrong engine, while rare, is a known risk during high-pressure emergency situations. With flight recorder data now recovered, authorities are expected to conduct a full simulation to reconstruct the cockpit decisions in real time.
Final Thoughts
As families of the victims push for transparency and accountability, the world’s aviation community is once again reminded of the delicate balance between technology, human judgment, and safety protocols. This heartbreaking event underscores the need for continued pilot training, thorough investigation standards, and clearer communication during disaster response.