Latest Updates on Jeju Air Plane Crash
The investigation into the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216, which occurred on July 19, 2025, is still ongoing as of August 2025. The preliminary findings released in July, which blamed the crash on pilots shutting down the wrong engine after a bird strike, were strongly rejected by victims' families for lacking transparency and sufficient evidence.
The South Korean Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), with support from international bodies like the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing, and GE Aerospace, is working diligently to uncover the truth behind the crash.
The flight data recorder (black box) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) ceased recording four minutes before the crash, hampering the investigation. However, investigators are analysing technical data, including the recovered engine controls and cockpit voice recordings, which show clear evidence that the pilots mistakenly shut down the less damaged left engine instead of the more damaged right one.
The crash involved a bird strike by Baikal Teal Ducks, each weighing approximately 0.45 kilograms, that severely damaged the aircraft's right-hand engine. Consequently, the aircraft experienced a complete loss of power and hydraulic systems, which control the landing gear, leading to the catastrophic crash.
The exact cause of the CVR and FDR failure remains under investigation, but it is likely due to the loss of power or electrical failure resulting from the engine failure.
The controversy caused by the preliminary report has triggered institutional responses in South Korea, including the resignation of the ARAIB director and the establishment of a parliamentary committee to oversee investigation, prevention, and support for families affected by the crash. The investigation is expected to take several more months to complete to ensure all factors are thoroughly examined and communicated transparently.
Relatives of the victims have accused investigators of centering blame solely on the flight crew while ignoring other possible contributing factors like mechanical issues, runway slope, and the presence of a concrete structure at the end of the runway. They have demanded proof and transparency, criticizing the report for seeming to place sole blame on the deceased pilots.
As the investigation continues, the hope is that the final results, expected by June 2026, will provide a comprehensive understanding of the incident, offering closure to the families and providing valuable lessons for the aviation industry.
- The ongoing investigation into Jeju Air Flight 2216, involving the South Korean Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board and international partners like the NTSB, FAA, Boeing, and GE Aerospace, also encompasses aspects of airline news, industry, finance, and general-news, as it delves into the causes and implications of the tragic aviation accident.
- The investigation into the tragic crash has sparked debate within the transportation sector, with concerns raised about the reliability of technical data, the performance of the aircraft's engines and control systems, and the role of external factors such as bird strikes in aviation accidents.
- The final results of the Jeju Air Flight 2216 investigation, expected by June 2026, will likely have wide-ranging implications for the aviation industry, addressing issues of safety, maintenance, and procedural protocols, and potentially impacting the financial and operational aspects of airline operations.
