Jeju Air Crash Shocker: Engine Still Running During Muan Airport Disaster

A confidential update from South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) has revealed a major new detail in the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport. On December 29, 2024, the right engine of the Boeing 737-800 remained operational during the catastrophic accident, even as the plane crashed and caught fire. This finding, shared with victims’ families in July 2025, has sparked intense debate about pilot actions, airport safety, and government transparency.

The Jeju Air crash remains the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea 🇰🇷 in decades, with 179 people losing their lives out of 181 on board. The tragedy has left families, pilots, and aviation experts demanding answers and accountability.

Critical Details and Timeline of the Crash

The accident took place on December 29, 2024, involving Jeju Air flight 7C, a Boeing 737-800 traveling from Bangkok to Muan International Airport. The sequence of events unfolded quickly:

• 8:57 a.m. KST: The crew received a bird strike warning.
• 8:58:56 a.m.: Pilots declared a mayday and tried to abort the landing.
• 9:00 a.m.: The crew requested to land on the opposite runway (runway 19) due to landing gear problems.
• 9:03 a.m.: The plane performed a belly landing, meaning the landing gear was not deployed. The aircraft overshot the runway and crashed into a concrete embankment that housed the instrument landing system localizer. This caused a massive fireball and resulted in 179 deaths, including four crew members and 175 passengers. Only two people survived.

Key Findings from the Ongoing Investigation

The July 2025 update from ARAIB, which was shared privately with families, confirmed that the right engine was still running at the time of the crash. The left engine, which had less damage, was shut down by the pilots 19 seconds after the bird strike. Investigators have not yet fully explained why the less-damaged engine was turned off while the more damaged right engine kept running.

Both engines showed signs of bird ingestion, with duck feathers and blood found inside. Technical checks in May 2025 confirmed that the engines had no problems before the crash, other than the bird strike and crash damage.

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data suggest that the pilots may have made an error by shutting down the wrong engine. This has drawn comparisons to the 1989 Kegworth crash in the United Kingdom, where a similar mistake led to disaster. However, investigators stress that many factors likely contributed to the Jeju Air crash, not just pilot actions.

Airport Infrastructure and Safety Concerns

The aircraft crashed into a concrete structure at the end of the runway. Aviation experts and pilot unions argue that such structures should be designed to break apart on impact to reduce injuries and deaths. They have criticized Muan International Airport for using a solid concrete embankment, which may have made the crash more deadly.

The incident has also raised concerns about how quickly bird strike warnings are communicated to flight crews and whether airports are doing enough to manage wildlife hazards.

Stakeholder Responses and Ongoing Controversy

The confidential nature of the July 2025 update has caused anger among families of the victims. Many families protested the suggestion of pilot error, saying that more evidence and transparency are needed before drawing conclusions. They objected to making the report public, fearing that the deceased crew would be unfairly blamed.

The Jeju Air pilots’ union has called for scientific proof that the plane could have landed safely with the less-damaged engine. They argue that focusing only on pilot error ignores bigger problems, such as airport design and emergency procedures.

Government officials, including the Ministry of Transport and ARAIB, have not commented publicly, citing the sensitivity of the investigation and the wishes of the families. Aviation experts like former NTSB investigator Greg Feith have described the interim report as “cryptic” and lacking detail, especially about the left engine’s systems and performance.

Policy Implications and Practical Effects

The Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport has already led to calls for changes in several areas:

• Airport Safety: There is growing pressure to review airport infrastructure, especially the use of solid concrete structures near runways. Many believe these should be replaced with breakaway designs that reduce the risk of death in a crash.
• Bird Strike Prevention: Airports are being urged to improve wildlife management and make sure bird strike warnings reach pilots quickly and clearly.
• Pilot Training: The crash is expected to lead to changes in how pilots are trained to handle emergencies, especially engine failures. This could include new procedures and more realistic training scenarios, similar to reforms made after the Kegworth disaster.
• Support for Families: Families of the victims have been involved in the identification process and are demanding more government support, compensation, and accountability.

Procedural Steps and the Path Forward

The response to the Jeju Air crash has followed a clear process:

1. Emergency Response: Rescue teams arrived within minutes. By January 1, 2025, all victims had been identified using DNA and fingerprints.
2. Technical Analysis: In May 2025, experts examined the engines and wreckage, confirming the bird strike and the status of both engines.
3. Interim Report: On July 19, 2025, ARAIB shared a confidential update with families. The public release was delayed due to protests from families.
4. Final Report: The full investigation report is scheduled for June 2026. It is expected to address all factors that led to the crash and recommend changes to prevent similar disasters.

Future Outlook and Pending Developments

Looking ahead, the final ARAIB report in June 2026 will provide a complete picture of what happened and why. It will likely include recommendations for:

• Airport design and safety standards
• Better bird strike prevention and response
• Improved pilot emergency training

Debate continues over who should be held responsible. Some focus on the pilots’ actions, while others point to airport design and government oversight. Families and pilot unions are united in calling for a fair, evidence-based investigation that looks at all possible causes.

Official Resources and Where to Find More Information

For those seeking more details or official updates, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) operates under South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The Ministry’s official website provides information on ongoing investigations and safety regulations. You can visit the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for updates and resources.

Jeju Air’s official website also offers statements and support resources for affected families and the public.

Key Takeaways for the Community

• The Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport is South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades, with 179 fatalities.
• The right engine was still operational at the time of the crash, raising questions about pilot decisions and emergency procedures.
• The investigation is ongoing, with the final report due in June 2026.
• Families, pilots, and experts are demanding transparency, accountability, and changes to prevent future tragedies.

Practical Steps for Affected Communities

• Families of victims should stay in contact with official agencies for updates and support.
• Pilots and aviation workers can expect new training and safety procedures in the coming years.
• Airports should review their infrastructure and wildlife management plans to reduce risks.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Jeju Air crash has become a turning point for aviation safety in South Korea 🇰🇷. The focus on the right engine’s status, pilot actions, and airport design shows how complex aviation disasters can be. The final investigation report will be critical in shaping future policies and ensuring that lessons are learned from this tragedy.

The Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport is a reminder of the importance of strong safety standards, clear communication, and ongoing support for those affected by such disasters. As the investigation continues, all eyes remain on the authorities to deliver a thorough, fair, and transparent report that will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Learn Today

Bird strike → When birds collide with aircraft, potentially damaging engines or critical systems during flight or landing.
Mayday → An international distress signal used by pilots to declare an emergency requiring immediate assistance.
Belly landing → A landing performed without the landing gear extended, causing the aircraft’s underside to touch the runway.
Cockpit voice recorder → A device recording all sounds and conversations in the cockpit to aid crash investigations.
Instrument landing system → A navigation aid helping pilots land safely, especially in poor visibility conditions near runways.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Jeju Air crash left 179 dead at Muan Airport in 2024. The right engine was running during impact, raising pilot error questions. The final report due June 2026 will address safety, airport infrastructure, and emergency training reforms to prevent future tragedies in South Korea.
— By VisaVerge.com