Airline Pilots Mistakenly Shut Down Wrong Engine Following Plane Crash, Leaving 179 Dead
The tragic plane crash that occurred on December 29, 2024, at Muan Airport in South Korea, involving a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air, has been attributed primarily to a bird strike during the aircraft's approach. The incident resulted in the deaths of 179 passengers and crew members, making it the deadliest air accident in South Korean history.
### Causes of the Crash
Investigations have found that the plane collided with a flock of Baikal teal ducks, causing severe damage to the right engine. Under the stress of the collision, the pilots made a critical error, shutting down the left engine, which was still functioning, instead of the damaged right engine. This mistake led to a complete loss of power from both engines.
Furthermore, due to the loss of power and engine failure, the aircraft's landing gear failed to deploy properly. In an attempt to correct the situation, the pilots deviated from standard procedures, climbing, making irregular maneuvers, and attempting a hurried landing in the opposite direction on the same runway. Ultimately, the aircraft landed on its belly, overshot the runway, collided with a concrete berm containing navigation equipment, and caught fire.
### Findings of the Investigation
Investigators found remains of ducks in both engines, but the right engine was more severely damaged. Cockpit voice recordings revealed the pilot ordered a shutdown of engine number two (right engine), but flight data showed engine number one (left) was shut down, indicating confusion under pressure.
The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) concluded that pilot error in shutting down the wrong engine was a direct cause of the crash. However, the families of victims have objected to the public release of the investigation report, arguing it blames the pilots without sufficiently exploring other factors such as runway design or potential mechanical defects.
### Ongoing Investigations
Despite the central role of pilot error in the official findings so far, investigations continue to examine other contributing factors. It has also been revealed that Jeju Air minimizes the duration of maintenance inspections before each flight to the legal minimum.
The official report has not been released due to protests, but it is expected to provide a comprehensive analysis of the causes and contributing factors of the tragic incident. The crash was also the worst worldwide for the year and the deadliest civilian aviation disaster on South Korean soil.
Financial institutions have increased scrutiny on Jeju Air due to the role they played in providing financing for the company, as questions arise about the airline's maintenance practices following the tragic plane crash.
Transportation protests, initially sparked by the crash, have broadened to include concerns regarding safety measures in South Korea's aviation industry and calls for reform.
