PROBE FINDS PILOTS SHUT OFF LESS-DAMAGED ENGINE IN JEJU AIR CRASH
A preliminary investigation into the tragic Jeju Air crash has revealed a critical error by the flight crew: the pilots mistakenly shut down the less-damaged engine during an in-flight emergency, a decision that may have contributed significantly to the fatal outcome. The crash, which occurred last month during a domestic flight in South Korea, claimed the lives of 14 people and left dozens injured.
The flight was en route from Busan to Jeju Island when one of the aircraft’s two engines experienced a malfunction shortly after takeoff. According to the South Korean Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), the engine issue was initially manageable and did not necessitate an emergency landing. However, investigators now confirm that the crew misidentified which engine was compromised and shut down the wrong one — leaving the aircraft with only one severely damaged engine still in operation.
The report reveals that shortly after the first signs of engine trouble, cockpit recordings captured confusion and a misreading of indicators. The crew mistakenly interpreted warning lights and assumed the right engine was failing, when in fact it was the left engine that had suffered from a loss in oil pressure and increased vibration. Moments later, the pilots shut down the functioning right engine, leaving the plane critically underpowered.
The aircraft attempted to return to Busan Airport, but with only the left, damaged engine running, it was unable to maintain altitude. The plane crashed into a hilly area outside the city, breaking apart on impact. Emergency responders arrived quickly, saving many lives, but 14 passengers — including two children — were killed, and more than 30 were hospitalized with injuries ranging from fractures to severe burns.
Jeju Air, a major low-cost carrier in South Korea, has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. In a statement, the airline said it is “reviewing internal training protocols and emergency response procedures to ensure such a tragic error is never repeated.”
Aviation experts say the incident underscores the importance of comprehensive crew resource management (CRM) and decision-making under pressure. “Engine misidentification has historically been a rare but deadly mistake,” said Professor Lee Min-jae, an aviation safety specialist at Korea Aerospace University. “Proper simulator training should prepare pilots for these high-stress situations.”
The ARAIB will continue to examine the black box data, maintenance records, and pilot training history before issuing a final report. Early findings have already prompted the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to order safety audits of other domestic carriers and recommend enhanced training requirements for flight crews, particularly in emergency engine-out procedures.
Families of the victims have demanded accountability and transparency. Legal action against the airline and possibly individual crew members is expected as more details emerge.
The Jeju Air crash serves as a tragic reminder of how split-second decisions in the cockpit can have catastrophic consequences. While investigations continue, authorities are working to ensure that lessons from this accident lead to stronger safeguards for future flights.