On December 29, 2024, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed near Muan, South Korea, resulting in the deaths of 179 out of the 181 people onboard. The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation that is examining whether pilot error played a role, specifically focusing on whether the flight crew may have shut down the wrong engine during an emergency.
Authorities are reviewing cockpit voice recordings and flight data to determine the sequence of events leading up to the crash. Early findings suggest that after one engine experienced issues shortly after takeoff, there may have been confusion in identifying which engine was malfunctioning.
Investigators are working to clarify if miscommunication or misinterpretation of warning signals contributed to the crew’s decision-making process. This aspect is considered critical as shutting down a functioning engine instead of a failed one can leave an aircraft without enough power to remain airborne.