Jeju Air crash probe reveals pilots shut wrong engine after bird strike
'The investigation team has clear evidence and backup data, so its finding will not change,' the source told Reuters anonymously, as officials have yet to release an official report. Government examinations confirmed no pre-existing defects in the engines before the accident.
The December 29 crash of the Boeing 737-800 at Muan Airport killed 179 of the 181 passengers and crew, marking South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster. Briefings to victims' families suggested the right engine sustained worse damage from the bird strike, yet pilots may have mistakenly disabled the left engine.
South Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) has not commented, while Boeing and engine manufacturer CFM International deferred to the ongoing probe. Jeju Air stated it is cooperating fully with authorities.
Families of the victims opposed the premature release of findings, arguing the report unfairly blamed pilots without examining other factors. Lawyers representing them noted concerns over the runway's embankment, which may have worsened the crash impact.
The Jeju Air pilots' union accused investigators of rushing to conclusions, insisting no proof exists that keeping the left engine operational would have averted the tragedy. 'Air accidents are complex incidents,' the union stated, urging scrutiny of organisational accountability.
A preliminary report in January confirmed bird remains in both engines but did not detail the extent of damage. The final report is expected within a year, per international protocols. - Reuters
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (July 21, 2025)
Malaysia: * Dewan Rakyat passes the Consumer Credit Bill * Court of Appeal grants stay for PM Anwar in civil suit proceedings * Nine areas record unhealthy API as of 3pm, July 21 * Wisma Putra yet to receive nomination of Nick Adams as US ambassador to Malaysia * Do not cross the 'red line', Anwar warns foreign powers including US * Trial for Chinese national who allegedly stabbed ex-girlfriend on uni campus * Bring it on, Anwar dares opposition to table no-confidence vote * Raid on Subang Jaya private party nets four suspected drug dealers * MACC to call up 20 more witnesses in RM180mil data centre probe * Penang Development Corp cooperating with police in MBI probe * A-G calls for overhaul of govt's Pre-Qualification procurement process * MACC seizes over RM332mil in assets in major scrap metal smuggling probe * Auditor-General's Report: Three UKM tenders worth over RM50mil did not follow SOP * Rise in 'buy now, pay later' accounts puts vulnerable consumers at risk, says Finance Ministry * Defence white paper mid-term review to be presented to select committee soon, says Mohamed Khaled * Wan Ahmad Farid was sole candidate for Chief Justice, no last minute changes made, says Anwar Water Polo - World Aquatics Championships - Women - Semi Final - Hungary v Spain - OCBC Aquatic Centre, Singapore - Monday, July 21, 2025; Hungary's Vanda Valyi scores a penalty goal. -- Photo: REUTERS/Edgar Su Singapore: * Singapore: Jail, caning for man who held metal rod to cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt * Singapore-Malaysia joint emergency exercise to affect the Tuas second link traffic on July 23 * Early morning bus driver strike causes disruption at Johor-Singapore Causeway * Singapore's Chiral Comics partners Archie Comics for exclusive SG60 book cover * Singapore military helps battle cyberattack:, says minister * Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, Singapore judge reminds lawyers * More stingrays, fewer sharks for sale at Singapore's fishery ports, say researchers * Singapore central bank to place S$1.1bil with asset managers to boost stock market Indonesia: * AFF U-23: 1,620 strong security deployment for heated Indonesia-Malaysia football clash in Jakarta * FIFA maintaining regional office in KL, not moving to Jakarta * Indonesia's Prabowo rolls out first of 80,000 'Red-White' cooperatives to boost economic growth * Indonesian exporters seek to split tariffs with US buyers to ensure demand * Asia shares, yen look past Japan politics as earnings loom * Oil prices little changed as investors eye impact of new sanctions on Russia Artistic Swimming - World Aquatics Championships - Team Technical - World Aquatics Championships Arena, Singapore - Monday, July 21, 2025; Team Thailand performs during preliminaries. -- Photo: REUTERS/Marko DjuricaTPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Thailand: * Thai police uncover two Chinese-led online fraud rings in latest blitz against scammers * Extreme heat waves spark climate emergencies worldwide * Thailand claims Cambodia planted land mines, escalating dispute * Thai land mine claims rejected by Cambodia in escalating dispute * Survey finds Thai public blames monks' misconduct for Buddhism's decline * Thailand's condo market plummets to 16-year low Philippines: * Typhoon Wipha: Philippine govt suspends work and school classes in Metro Manila and other provinces * Philippines' Marcos to meet Trump, hoping to secure trade deal that is favourable to both allied countries * A legend returns - Pacquiao is latest boxer to risk legacy for lure of the ring * Radio journalist killed in southern Philippines * Marcos goal: A trade deal unique to US-Philippine ties * Philippines suspends government work, classes due to heavy rains A man holding an umbrella walks near docked tourist boats, as Typhoon Wipha approaches, at Halong Bay, Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, on Monday, July 21, 2025. -- Photo: REUTERS/Thinh Nguyen Vietnam: * Boy's body recovered by rescuers, death toll in Vietnam's Ha Long boat tragedy hits 36 * "It took only a few seconds": survivors recount how a sudden storm drowned dozens in Vietnam * Storm Wipha nears northern Vietnam with heavy rain, strong winds and flood risk * Vietnam, China plan first joint army drill amid US tariffs * Vietnam: Survivor lives to tell his escape from capsized tour boat Myanmar: * Comment: A cautionary tale for Asean from the Middle East * Yet another jade mine collapse in northern Myanmar, two people dead and 20 others trapped inside * Series of aftershocks rattle Mandalay, including 5.5-magnitude tremor * Fire sparked by charging Bluetooth speaker destroys eight homes in central Myanmar A trishaw driver rides as his passenger uses an umbrella to cover themselves from the rain in Yangon on Monday, July 21, 2025. -- Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP Cambodia: * Hun Sen calls Thaksin out, reveals historic role in Thai politics * Landmine dispute escalates tensions between Thailand and Cambodia * Asean disaster simulation exercise begins amid Typhoon Wipha * Cambodia arrests 2,767 online scam suspects Laos: * Typhoon Wipha rips through Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines, damaging homes and infrastructure * Laos on alert as Typhoon Wipha brings torrential rain * Laos to renegotiate power purchase deals in bid to cut bills for home-owners Brunei: * Brunei royalty graces Girl Guides ceremony * Brunei Chinese chamber of commerce holds event on traditional Chinese medicine * 35 arrested in major anti-drug operation in Brunei Artistic Swimming - World Aquatics Championships - Women's Duet Technical Final - World Aquatics Championships Arena, Singapore - Monday, July 21, 2025; Gold medallists Austria's Anna-Maria Alexandri and Eirini-Marina Alexandri pose during the women's duet technical final medal ceremony with silver medallists China's Yanhan Lin and Yanjun Lin and bronze medallists Neutral Athletes B's Mayya Doroshko and Tatiana Gayday. -- Photo: REUTERS/Hollie Adams AseanPlus: * K-pop superstar G-Dragon declares Malaysia 'mantap (superb)' at his two-day sold-out concerts in Bukit Jalil * Malaysia sets sights on regional AI leadership with 2026-2030 action plan, says Gobind * Malaysia, Asean to propose reforming UN veto power of five countries * First day of Dewan Rakyat focuses on post-Asean foreign policy, cost of haj * Sarawak to kick off reforms to make business registrations quicker, easier, Dr Sim announces * 'Musang King is too delicious': HK actor Louis Fan ate 7 durians during 3-day stay in Malaysia * Evidence shows Jeju Air pilots shut off less-damaged engine before crash, source says * Torrential rain leaves at least 18 dead in South Korea, trail of devastation * Disney sues Hong Kong company it says is selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewellery * China stops US commerce employee from leaving, reports say * Can a superalloy method fix aircraft engine woes, even for sixth-gen fighters? * As Trump flip-flops on US academia, China's brightest head back home. Here's why * Asian investors trim US assets amid weak dollar, but full pullback 'difficult' * Nvidia CEO praises China's open-source models as 'very advanced' * In rare gun crime in South Korea, father kills son; bomb found at home * Hong Kong leads stocks higher, yen gains as Ishiba vows to stay * At least 18 dead in South Korea after heavy rains and landslides * Western aid cuts cede ground to China in South-East Asia: study * South Korea reviewing various options to improve North Korea ties * At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes into college campus * HK singer Kelly Chen reveals she once considered retiring from music after marriage * Wreck of WWII Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Teruzuki found 83 years after sinking * Exclusive-Trump pledged to save Afghans. But UAE had already sent some evacuees back, cable shows * Ishiba's party members urge him to take responsibility as they face poor showing in Japan's Upper House election * Airbus signs fresh deal with Chinese partner amid talk of massive China order * Trump says Beijing is making 'big steps' in controlling fentanyl * Sri Lanka Catholics seek prosecution of sacked spy chief * Australia's growing algal crisis in south devastates marine life * Israeli fire kills 67 aid seekers in Gaza, medics say, as hunger worsens * Pakistani Islamist militants use drones to target security forces, officials say * China stocks near 2022 high on construction, rare earth gains; Hang Seng tests 25,000 * Badminton - Zii Jia appears fine in first public appearance in China * Cricket - Knee injury ends Reddy's England tour, Arshdeep out of Manchester test
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
US judge to sentence former police officer in Breonna Taylor case
People participate during the march for Breonna Taylor in New York City, New York, U.S., September 25, 2020. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo (Reuters) -A former Louisville police officer will be sentenced on Monday for violating Breonna Taylor's rights during the raid in which she was shot and killed, with President Donald Trump's Justice Department asking the judge to imprison him for just one day. The surprising request by the department's Civil Rights Division angered members of Taylor's family, some of whom may address the court on Monday ahead of the hearing to sentence former detective Brett Hankison. The hearing is due to start at 1:30 p.m. EST. Taylor, a Black woman, was shot and killed by Louisville police officers in March 2020 after they used a no-knock warrant at her home. Her boyfriend, believing they were intruders, fired on the officers with a legally owned firearm, prompting them to return fire. Taylor's death, along with the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of a white police officer, sparked racial justice protests across the U.S. over the treatment of people of color by police departments. During President Joe Biden's administration, the Justice Department brought criminal civil rights charges against the officers involved in both Taylor and Floyd's deaths. Hankison was convicted by a federal jury in November 2024 of one count of violating Taylor's civil rights, after the first attempt to prosecute him ended with a mistrial. He was separately acquitted on state charges in 2022. The Justice Department's sentencing memo for Hankison downplayed his role in the raid at Taylor's home, saying he "did not shoot Ms. Taylor and is not otherwise responsible for her death." The memo was notable because it was not signed by any of the career prosecutors who had tried the case. It was submitted on July 16 by Harmeet Dhillon, a political appointee appointed by Trump to lead the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and her counsel Robert Keenan. Keenan previously worked as a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, where he argued that a local deputy sheriff convicted of civil rights violations, Trevor Kirk, should have his conviction on the felony counts struck and should not serve prison time. The efforts to strike the felony conviction led several prosecutors on the case to resign in protest, according to media reports and a person familiar with the matter. The department's sentencing recommendation in the Hankison case marks the latest effort by the Trump administration to put the brakes on the department's police accountability work. Earlier this year, Dhillon nixed plans to enter into a court-approved settlement with the Louisville Police Department, and rescinded the Civil Rights Division's prior findings of widespread civil rights abuses against people of color. Attorneys for Taylor's family called the department's sentencing recommendation for Hankison an insult, and urged the judge to "deliver true justice" for her. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings on Friday denied Hankison's request for a new trial. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch;Editing by Noeleen Walder and Helen Popper)
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
X accuses French prosecutors of politically motivated free speech probe
PARIS: Elon Musk's social media platform X has accused French prosecutors of launching a politically motivated criminal investigation, claiming it threatens users' free speech. The company denied all allegations and stated it would not comply with the probe. Earlier this month, Paris prosecutors escalated a preliminary investigation into X over suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction. Authorities enlisted police to examine potential wrongdoing by the company or its executives. 'Based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech,' the platform posted on its Global Government Affairs account. 'For these reasons, X has not acceded to the French authorities' demands, as we have a legal right to do.' In a sharp rebuke, X also alleged the probe was instigated by French lawmaker Eric Bothorel, who accused the platform of manipulating its algorithm for foreign interference purposes. X dismissed the claim as 'completely false.' The Paris prosecutors' office and Bothorel did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Musk, a former ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has repeatedly criticized European governments for what he sees as attacks on free speech. He has also expressed support for some of the region's far-right parties. The French investigation could widen tensions between Washington and European capitals over online discourse regulations. Former Trump administration officials have previously accused platforms of censoring right-wing voices globally. X further objected to prosecutors' demands for access to its recommendation algorithm and real-time user post data, which would be analyzed by researchers David Chavalarias and Maziyar Panahi. The platform accused both of showing 'open hostility towards X,' raising concerns about the probe's impartiality. Neither researcher responded immediately to requests for comment. X also criticized the use of organized crime charges in the investigation, which could allow authorities to wiretap employees' personal devices. The case follows similar legal scrutiny in France against Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, who faces judicial supervision over alleged organized crime on his platform. Durov denies wrongdoing. Earlier this month, Musk agreed with Durov's claim that French officials were 'waging a crusade against free speech and tech progress,' responding simply, 'true.' - Reuters
