Исследование самолета на Чеджудо показало, что во время крушения работал двигатель, в результате которого погиб 181 человек

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GWANGJU- A chilling new update in the investigation of the Jeju Air (7C) crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport has revealed that one of the plane’s engines was still operational when it crashed on December 30, 2024. The Boeing 737-800 was carrying 181 people on board.

The airplane performed a belly landing after a bird strike, overshot the runway, and collided with a concrete embankment. The collision sparked a fireball that claimed all but two lives. This new revelation has intensified scrutiny on the pilots’ decisions and the airport’s safety features.

Jeju Air Crash Probe

South Korean investigators from the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) released an update on July 19. The report was not publicly shared due to objections from the victims’ families. As per the report, the investigation found that the right engine was in working condition.

Despite a “surge” and visible flames and black smoke, it retained enough power to sustain flight. However, the pilots had shut down the left engine 19 seconds after the bird strike, which sustained less damage. The reasons for this choice remain unclear, with the final report due in June 2026.

The plane, en route from Bangkok, doubled back to land against its initial runway direction with its landing gear retracted. This move led to the catastrophic impact. Photos in the update show both engines with bird strike damage, but the right engine’s internal harm was more severe.

Experts like former U.S. National Transportation Safety Board investigator Greg Feith describe the document as “cryptic.” he noted that it lacks details on the left engine’s performance or connected systems, leaving many questions unanswered.

Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr

Echoes of Past Tragedies

The Jeju Air incident echoes the 1989 Kegworth crash in England, where pilots mistakenly shut down a functioning engine on a Boeing 737-400. That incident led to 47 deaths. That disaster prompted global changes, including better crew communication protocols and emergency training.

The current probe raises similar concerns, with evidence from the cockpit voice recorder, computer data, and a switch in the wreckage suggesting a possible error. Yet, the right engine’s capability to keep the plane aloft adds a layer of complexity, hinting at multiple contributing factors.

The 737-800’s CFM International engines, built by GE and Safran, showed no pre-existing faults beyond bird and crash damage. This was found in the report that was released in the May examination.

The January preliminary report confirmed duck feathers and blood in both engines, underscoring the bird strike’s role. Jeju Air’s history includes a 2021 tail strike incident at Seoul’s Gimpo Airport, for which it was fined 2.2 billion won for safety violations.

Photo: byeangel | Flickr

Impact on the airline’s Operations

The crash, South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster, has left a scar on public trust. Passengers on Jeju Air’s remaining 737-800s may face heightened anxiety, though the airline continues operations, cooperating with ARAIB.

Muan Airport, with a 0.09% bird strike rate—higher than major hubs like Gimpo (0.018%)—faces pressure to enhance its bird management. The runway’s code number 4 status requires a 240-meter safety area, but the embankment’s presence has sparked debate over compliance.

Victims’ families were briefed on the findings. They have resisted the update’s release, arguing it prematurely points to pilot error without exploring other causes. The Jeju Air pilots’ union counters that ARAIB misleads by downplaying the left engine’s surge, supported by black box data.

The kin are also pushing for scrutiny of the concrete embankment holding navigation equipment, which experts say has worsened the death toll. South Korea’s transport ministry has identified seven airports, including Muan, with similar rigid structures. There are also plans to replace them with impact-absorbing materials, with designs underway.

Peering into the Future

With the investigation stretching to June 2026, ARAIB must balance technical analysis with family concerns. The probe may reveal more about pilot decision-making, engine performance, and airport design flaws.

Jeju Air’s reputation hangs in the balance, while Boeing and engine makers GE and Safran await scrutiny. Travelers can expect updates on safety measures at Muan, potentially reshaping regional air travel standards.

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The post Jeju Air Probe Reveals Working Engine During Crash that Killed 181 People appeared first on Aviation A2Z.

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