Another family member questioned why other possible factors such as mechanical issues, runway slope, and obstacles at the end of the runway were not addressed in detail in the report.
“The families did not get an adequate explanation,” said a lawyer representing those affected. “In fact, depending on how you look at it, it kind of puts all the blame on the dead birds and the dead pilots.”
An unnamed official later confirmed to South Korean media that investigators believe the crew should have deactivated only the damaged right engine rather than shutting down both engines.
After this meeting, authorities collected all copies of the interim report from attendees and clarified that it had not been officially released. The public press conference was subsequently called off without further comment.
The crash remains under investigation as families continue to demand a transparent process supported by verifiable data.
Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashed following a bird strike and subsequent dual-engine failure. Preliminary information indicates that during descent toward Muan Airport, both engines suffered damage after hitting birds. This led to complete loss of power and hydraulic systems—the latter being critical for controlling landing gear and flight surfaces. Blood and feathers were found in both engines during early examinations.
The flight crew declared an emergency shortly before attempting a go-around; however, with no hydraulic power available, they could not deploy landing gear or regain full control over essential aircraft systems. The plane touched down with its landing gear retracted about halfway along Runway 19 before colliding with an embankment beyond its end. Only two cabin crew members survived.
The aircraft’s flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) stopped recording four minutes prior to impact due to probable electrical failure caused by engine shutdowns. These devices have been sent abroad for further analysis as their failure has complicated efforts to reconstruct events leading up to the accident.
Weather conditions at Muan Airport were favorable at the time of impact, ruling out environmental factors as contributors. Air traffic controllers had warned crews about increased bird activity shortly before landing attempts.
The incident highlighted ongoing risks posed by nearby bird habitats around Muan International Airport. Emergency response efforts faced delays because rough terrain outside airport boundaries hindered vehicle access; outdated communications equipment and limited medical resources further slowed rescue operations.
In response to these shortcomings, South Korea has announced plans to replace concrete barriers used for navigation at nine airports nationwide and modify runway safety areas at seven locations based on recent reviews.
Comparisons have been drawn between this crash and US Airways Flight 1549’s emergency water landing in New York’s Hudson River in 2009 following similar circumstances—a dual-engine failure after a bird strike—where all passengers survived due largely to effective emergency protocols and rapid response [https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/us-airways-flight-1549-hudson-river].
The Jeju Air tragedy underscores gaps in aviation safety procedures regarding wildlife management near airports as well as deficiencies in emergency preparedness infrastructure [https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/jeju-air-crash-highlights-bird-strike-risk-at-muan/153879.article]. Recent government actions aim to address these issues through improved airport design standards and operational protocols across South Korea’s aviation sector.
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