Families of those killed in the Jeju Air crash have expressed strong opposition to a government report blaming the pilot for the tragedy. They say the report is unfair and lacks a clear explanation.
According to initial investigation, the Boeing 737-800 was en route from Thailand to Muan Airport on December 29, 2024, when it crashed and exploded after hitting a concrete barrier. Up to 179 people died — the deadliest crash in South Korea in recent years.
The report said that a bird strike hit the plane's right engine. But the pilot allegedly made a mistake and shut down the left engine, causing a total power loss and the landing gear to malfunction. According to the families, they have not yet heard or seen the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, so the report is not based on sufficient evidence.
Kim Youn-mi, a representative of the families, said they have the right to know the whole truth and have requested a more transparent investigation. The Jeju Air Pilots' Union also objected to the report, calling it a "malicious accusation" against the pilot.
The investigation by South Korean and US authorities is still ongoing. Aside from a bird strike, the possibility of defective landing gear and the presence of a barrier on the runway are also being investigated. The target is to release the final report in June 2026.
