Seoul, July 22 - On December 29, 2024, Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800, crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, marking the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil. The flight, carrying 181 passengers and crew from Bangkok, resulted in the tragic loss of all but two cabin crew members after the aircraft overshot the runway during an emergency belly landing, collided with a concrete embankment containing navigation equipment, and erupted into flames. A South Korea-led investigation has revealed critical evidence indicating that the pilots shut off the less-damaged engine following a bird strike, a decision that likely contributed to the catastrophic outcome.
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According to a source familiar with the investigation, evidence from the cockpit voice recorder, computer data, and a physical engine switch recovered from the wreckage shows that the pilots turned off the left engine instead of the right engine, which had sustained more severe damage from a bird strike moments before the scheduled landing. The investigation, conducted by South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), found no pre-existing defects in the aircraft’s engines, confirming that the bird strike was the initiating factor. A preliminary report released in January noted duck remains in both engines, but the right engine was significantly more compromised, experiencing greater damage that likely impaired its functionality.
The sequence of events began when the pilots reported a bird strike during their approach to Muan Airport, prompting a mayday call at 8:58:56 a.m. The aircraft’s landing gear failed to deploy, possibly due to a hydraulic system malfunction caused by the bird strike, and the pilots attempted a go-around before making a second landing attempt. During this critical moment, the decision to shut off the left engine, which was less affected, removed the aircraft’s primary source of thrust and likely led to a loss of electrical power, hindering the pilots’ ability to control the plane. The aircraft skidded off the runway, struck the embankment, and triggered a fire and partial explosion, leading to the high death toll.
Investigators briefed victims’ families on July 19, 2025, revealing that the right engine’s severe damage contrasted with the left engine’s relatively minor impact from the bird strike. The families and the Jeju Air pilots’ union expressed concerns that the investigation’s focus on the pilots’ actions overlooked other contributing factors, such as the concrete embankment, which aviation experts suggest exacerbated the crash’s severity. The ARAIB canceled a planned media release of these findings after families objected, arguing that the report prematurely emphasized pilot error without fully exploring other elements, such as the airport’s infrastructure or organizational responsibilities. The union criticized the investigation for lacking scientific evidence that the plane could have landed safely with only the left engine operational, noting that both engines showed traces of bird remains. The investigation, concluded in June 2026, continues to examine the complex interplay of factors in this tragedy. Jeju Air has pledged full cooperation with the ARAIB, while Boeing and engine manufacturer CFM International have deferred comments to the investigation board. The crash has prompted broader discussions on aviation safety, including bird strike prevention and runway design, as South Korea grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident.