Relatives of Jeju Air Crash Victims File Criminal Complaint
Families Seek Accountability in Jeju Air Crash
In a significant development following the tragic Jeju Air crash on December 29, 2024, families of the victims have taken legal action against 15 individuals, including South Korea’s Transport Minister Park Sang-woo and Jeju Air’s president. The complaint alleges negligence and violations of the Aviation Safety Act, aiming to hold these officials accountable for the disaster that claimed 179 lives. (reuters.com)
The Tragic Incident
Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, was en route from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to Muan International Airport in South Korea. During its approach to Muan, the aircraft encountered a bird strike, leading to engine issues and a failure to deploy landing gear. The pilots declared a mayday and attempted an emergency landing. However, the plane overran the runway, collided with a concrete embankment housing navigation equipment, and erupted into flames. Tragically, 179 of the 181 people on board perished, marking it as South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades. (apnews.com)
Investigation and Findings
Investigations into the crash have revealed several critical factors:
- Bird Strike: A warning about a potential bird strike was issued minutes before the crash. Evidence of a bird strike was found in both engines, with feathers identified as belonging to a species of migratory duck. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Landing Gear Failure: The aircraft’s landing gear failed to deploy during the emergency landing attempt, contributing to the crash. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Runway Obstruction: The plane collided with a concrete embankment that housed navigation equipment, which experts argue should have been constructed with breakaway materials to minimize damage in such incidents. (apnews.com)
Legal Actions and Calls for Accountability
In response to the disaster and the perceived lack of progress in the investigation, 72 relatives of the victims filed a formal complaint against 15 individuals, including Transport Minister Park Sang-woo and Jeju Air’s president. The complaint alleges negligence in managing safety risks and violations of the Aviation Safety Act. Specific concerns include the decision to return to land immediately following the bird strike, the maintenance of the aircraft’s engine, and the construction and placement of the runway’s embankment. The families are calling for a deeper investigation into these factors to determine accountability for the disaster. (reuters.com)
International Support and Ongoing Investigations
The United States has extended support to South Korea in investigating the crash. A team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), including representatives from Boeing, is assisting the Republic of Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) with their investigation. This collaboration aims to uncover the causes of the crash and prevent future tragedies. (en.yna.co.kr)
As investigations continue, the families of the victims remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, seeking accountability from those responsible for the disaster. Their efforts underscore the need for transparency and thoroughness in aviation safety investigations to ensure such a tragedy does not occur again.
For more detailed information on the incident and ongoing investigations, you can refer to the following sources: