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What Caused The South Korean Plane Crash? Did Wrong ATC Instructions Play A Role In The Deadly Crash?
The aviation industry in South Korea is reeling after the country’s deadliest plane crash, which claimed the lives of 179 people. As authorities dig deeper into the tragedy, new theories are emerging, including one suggesting that confusion caused by Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions may have played a key role in the disaster.
Black Box Analysis Underway
Investigators are meticulously examining the aircraft’s black boxes—the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder. While data from the cockpit voice recorder is being analyzed, the flight data recorder is said to be missing a critical connector, further complicating efforts to piece together the events leading to the crash.
Initial findings indicate that the pilot may have been following ATC instructions to change course and attempt a landing in the opposite direction to avoid a potential bird strike. This sudden change in procedure could have introduced significant confusion, potentially contributing to the crash. Approximately one minute after the change in course, the pilot issued a mayday call, and the attempted landing occurred two minutes later.
The crash has drawn the attention of international aviation authorities. U.S. investigators and Boeing officials have joined the probe, along with at least one U.S. airline. Southwest Airlines has confirmed its collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing to assist in uncovering the cause of the crash.
The Role of the Hardened Barrier
Beyond ATC instructions, the investigation is also focusing on a hardened barrier located at the end of the runway. The Jeju Air plane reportedly hit this dirt-and-concrete embankment during its crash landing at Muan International Airport. The barrier, designed to house navigation equipment, may have contributed to the severity of the crash.
The embankment’s proximity to the runway is raising eyebrows. According to a report by the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, an airport operating manual published earlier in 2024 flagged the embankment’s position—just 199 meters (652 feet) from the runway’s end—as a potential hazard. While airport officials acknowledged the issue at the time, they deferred corrective measures to future development plans.
Broader Safety Concerns
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommends a 240-meter safety area at the end of runways but only mandates a 90-meter area. This discrepancy has added fuel to discussions about runway safety standards worldwide.
South Korea’s Director General for Airport Policy, Kim Hong-rak, announced that officials would “conduct an additional review of our airport safety standards.”
Early theories about the crash pointed to a bird strike, but aviation experts remain skeptical. While bird strikes are relatively common, they are unlikely to have prevented the pilot from deploying the Boeing 737-800’s landing gear. Investigators are exploring whether any of the aircraft’s control systems were disabled and why the pilot attempted to land so soon after declaring an emergency.
The plane, powered by two CFM International 56-7B26 engines, was traveling at great speed during what appears to have been a belly landing. “I can’t think of any reason for being forced to make a landing like this,” said John Nance, an aviation safety expert and former military and commercial pilot who flew 737s for Alaska Airlines.
Jeju Air’s Chief Executive, Kim Yi-bae, stated that maintenance staff had not reported any issues with the aircraft during pre-flight inspections. However, the investigation will delve deeper into operational protocols to determine if any overlooked factors contributed to the tragedy.
The Last Bit
