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- Jeju Air: pilots shut down less damaged engine before 2023 crash tragedy (93)
- Jeju Air crash: probe points to critical pilot error in Muan accident (91)
- Flight 2216 crash: pilots turned off wrong engine after bird strike (90)
- Jeju Air tragedy: wrong engine shutdown worsened South Korea’s worst crash (94)
- Jeju Air probe: less damaged engine was shut down before fatal crash (95)
Chosen Title: Jeju Air: pilots shut down less damaged engine before 2023 crash tragedy (93)
The tragedy of Jeju Air Flight 2216, which killed 179 people on December 29, 2023, in Muan, South Korea, revealed a critical pilot error: they shut down the less damaged left engine after a bird strike, according to investigations. The Boeing 737-800, arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, suffered a bird strike just before landing, leading to an emergency landing attempt without landing gear, resulting in a collision with a concrete structure and an explosion. Only two crew members survived. The finding, confirmed by sources close to the investigation, raises questions about emergency procedures and airport infrastructure, as victims’ families demand clearer answers.
The accident, the deadliest in South Korean aviation history, shocked the nation and the world. The aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, encountered issues after striking a flock of Baikal teal ducks. The pilots’ decision to shut down the less affected engine compromised power and electrical systems, hindering aircraft control.
- Key accident factors:
- Bird strike caused engine damage.
- Shutdown of the less damaged left engine.
- Failure to deploy landing gear.
- Collision with a concrete structure at the runway’s end.
The investigation, led by South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), has not yet released an official report, but evidence includes cockpit recordings, flight computer data, and the position of a physical engine switch found in the wreckage.
Investigation details
Initial analysis showed the right engine suffered more severe damage from the bird strike, while the left engine, though also affected, retained partial functionality. Shutting down the less damaged engine worsened the situation, as the Boeing 737-800 lost significant power, impacting systems like the integrated drive generator (IDG), crucial for flight instruments and landing gear deployment. The power loss may explain why the pilots couldn’t manually lower the gear, leading to a belly landing.
The investigation also noted that the flight data and voice recorders stopped functioning about four minutes before the crash, complicating the full reconstruction of events. Partial transcripts of communications with the control tower showed the pilots reported the bird strike, declared a “mayday” emergency, and attempted a second approach, changing the landing direction.
- Evidence collected so far:
- Cockpit recordings confirm the engine shutdown error.
- Flight computer data show vibrations in both engines.
- The left engine’s physical switch was in the “off” position.
- Remains of Baikal teal ducks were found in the engines.
The ARAIB sent the engines for detailed analysis by CFM International, the manufacturer of the CFM56-7B26 engines, in March 2024. The examination, supported by American and French investigators, confirmed no pre-existing engine defects before the bird strike.
Families and union reactions
Victims’ families, briefed on the findings during a meeting on the weekend of July 19, 2025, protested the preliminary report’s release. They argue that focusing on the pilots’ error overlooks other factors, such as the concrete structure housing an instrument landing system (ILS) antenna, which the plane struck, causing an explosion that significantly increased the death toll.
The Jeju Air pilots’ union also criticized the investigation, claiming the ARAIB downplayed damage to the left engine, as bird remains were found in both engines. They accuse investigators of scapegoating the pilots without scientific evidence that the plane could have landed safely using only the left engine.
- Demands from families and the union:
- Broader investigation into airport infrastructure.
- Transparency in disclosing flight recorder data.
- Detailed analysis of the concrete barrier’s impact.
- Review of the airline’s emergency protocols.
The families’ pressure led to the cancellation of a planned press conference on July 19, 2025, with promises of public hearings and greater involvement of affected parties before the final report, expected in June 2026.
Airport infrastructure under scrutiny
Muan International Airport, where the crash occurred, has the highest bird strike rate among South Korea’s 14 regional airports, at 0.09% of flights, significantly above Gimpo (0.018%) and Jeju (0.013%). Since 2019, at least ten bird strike incidents were recorded in Muan, raising concerns about wildlife control measures.
The concrete structure hit by the plane, housing the ILS navigation system, is also under review. Aviation experts, like John Cox, a former pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems, noted that a rigid barrier so close to the runway’s end does not align with industry best practices, which recommend frangible materials or energy-absorbing systems to minimize damage in case of an overrun.
- Identified airport issues:
- High incidence of bird strikes.
- Concrete barrier near the runway’s end.
- Lack of energy-absorbing systems, like arrestor beds.
- Need for improved wildlife control measures.
In response, South Korea’s Ministry of Transport announced in January 2025 the replacement of concrete barriers at seven airports with safer structures. Additionally, an emergency inspection of all 101 Boeing 737-800s operated by South Korean airlines was ordered.
Post-accident measures
The tragedy prompted South Korea’s government to review aviation safety protocols. Acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered a comprehensive reassessment of emergency procedures, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance. Jeju Air, which operated Flight 2216, temporarily suspended ticket purchase links on its website and reduced winter flights by 10-15% to enhance maintenance.
The airline also faces legal repercussions. In May 2025, 72 victims’ families filed a criminal complaint against 15 individuals, including Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, the Transport Minister, and airport officials, for professional negligence. Police barred Kim E-bae from leaving the country in January, and searches were conducted at the airline’s headquarters and Muan airport.
- Actions by the government and Jeju Air:
- Inspection of all Boeing 737-800s in the country.
- Replacement of barriers at seven airports.
- Flight reductions for enhanced maintenance.
- Criminal investigation against executives and officials.
Jeju Air’s history and lessons learned
Founded in 2005, Jeju Air is South Korea’s third-largest airline, behind Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Until the 2023 crash, it had no fatalities in its 19-year history. The crashed Boeing 737-800, manufactured in 2009, was acquired in 2017 after operating for Ryanair. Pre-flight inspections showed no mechanical issues, according to the airline.
The disaster reignited debates about pilot preparedness for emergencies. Similar cases, like the 1989 Kegworth crash and the 2015 TransAsia crash, showed that misidentifying the damaged engine can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Training for high-pressure scenarios, such as bird strikes, is being revised to prevent hasty decisions.
- Lessons from past accidents:
- Kegworth (1989): pilots shut down the functional engine, causing the crash.
- TransAsia (2015): similar error led to power loss.
- Need for training in rapid damage identification.
- Importance of redundant landing gear systems.
Next steps in the investigation
The ARAIB plans public hearings and further data analysis before the final report, due in June 2026. Cockpit voice recorder analysis, sent to the United States, may clarify the pilots’ final communications. Collaboration with Boeing, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and the NTSB will provide more insights into technical and human factors.
The tragedy also impacted Jeju Air, with approximately 68,000 bookings canceled post-crash, per Yonhap. Public confidence in the airline and South Korean aviation safety has been shaken, requiring efforts to restore trust.
- Future investigation focus:
- Detailed analysis of flight and voice recorders.
- Study of Muan airport’s infrastructure.
- Review of Jeju Air’s emergency procedures.
- Evaluation of wildlife control measures.
The Flight 2216 tragedy continues to mobilize South Korean society, with families demanding justice and structural changes to prevent future disasters. The combination of human error, infrastructure flaws, and high bird strike rates underscores the complexity of aviation accidents and the need for ongoing safety improvements.
