Pilots shut off wrong engine in South Korea crash that killed 179, report finds

South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board revealed on July 19 that the pilots of Jeju Air Flight 2216 shut down the wrong engine during an emergency after a bird strike, leading to the fatal crash on December 29, 2024.

The interim findings, based on cockpit voice recordings, flight data and wreckage analysis, showed the flight crew mistakenly switched off the less-damaged left engine rather than the right engine that had suffered the bird strike. This critical error left the aircraft with reduced thrust during an emergency landing attempt near Muan International Airport.

Investigators reported that shutting down the functioning engine led to the loss of key electrical and hydraulic systems needed to deploy the landing gear. As a result the aircraft made a belly landing, slid into a concrete embankment and caught fire. The crash resulted in the deaths of 179 of the 181 people on board with only two cabin crew members surviving.

The interim report’s release was met with criticism from some victims’ families who argued it focused too much on pilot error and not enough on other possible factors such as airport safety and infrastructure. The final investigation report is expected next year and authorities have begun reviewing safety procedures at regional airports including wildlife hazard management and emergency protocols.