
Evidence shows Jeju Air pilots shut off less-damaged engine before crash
SEOUL : The South Korea-led investigation into Jeju Air's fatal plane crash in December has 'clear evidence' that pilots shut off the less-damaged engine after a bird strike, a source with knowledge of the probe said today.
The source said the evidence, including the cockpit voice recorder, computer data and a physical engine switch found in the wreckage showed pilots shut off the left engine instead of the right engine when taking emergency steps after a bird strike just before it was scheduled to land.
'The investigation team has clear evidence and backup data, so its finding will not change,' the source told Reuters on condition of anonymity because investigators have not released an official report including this evidence.
A government source said examinations of the plane's recovered engines found that no defects had been present before the bird strike and crash.
The Dec 29 crash of the Boeing 737-800 jet at Muan Airport killed all but two of the 181 passengers and crew members on board and was the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil.
Investigators told victims' family members at a briefing on Saturday that the right engine had been more severely damaged by a bird strike than the left, and there was circumstantial evidence that pilots had turned off the less-damaged left engine, according to a third source who was at the briefing.
South Korean media outlets including MBN and Yonhap reported that information on Saturday and yesterday.
South Korea's aviation and railway accident investigation board (Araib), which is leading the investigation, did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Boeing referred questions about the crash to Araib.
Engine maker CFM International, a joint venture between GE and France's Safran, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Jeju Air said it was actively cooperating with the Araib's investigation and awaiting the official announcement of the results.
Most air crashes are caused by multiple factors, and under international rules, a final report is expected within a year of an accident.
A preliminary report released in January said duck remains were found in both engines of the Jeju Air plane after the flight from Bangkok crashed at Muan Airport, but did not give details about the extent of remains or damage found in each engine.
Objections from victims' families
South Korea's investigation body on Saturday cancelled a planned release to media of an update on what is known so far about the engines.
Families of the crash victims were briefed on the report ahead of its planned release, but objected to its publication, saying that it appeared to apportion blame to the pilots without exploring other contributing factors, lawyers representing the families said.
The Jeju Air flight overshot Muan Airport's runway as it made an emergency belly landing and crashed into an embankment containing navigation equipment, leading to a fire and partial explosion.
Representatives of victims' families and the Jeju Air pilots' union said over the weekend that the investigation needs to also focus on the embankment, which aviation experts have said likely contributed to the high death toll.
The Jeju Air pilots' union said the Araib was 'misleading the public' by suggesting there was no problem with the left engine given traces of bird remains were found in both engines.
The union accused the Araib of trying to make pilots 'scapegoats' by failing to provide scientific and technological grounds that the plane could have landed safely with only the left engine turned on.
Air accidents are complex incidents that occur due to a number of contributing factors, and investigators have not produced evidence so far to support the implication that the accident was a result of pilot error, the union said.
Investigators are so far 'silent about organisational responsibility', the union said.
A body representing bereaved families said in a statement there were some phrases related to the cause of the accident in the planned press release that could be interpreted as if a final conclusion had been reached, and all facts surrounding the incident must be clarified.

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Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Coping in the middle: Inside the lives of informal caregivers balancing reality with emotional and financial strain
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The term 'sandwich generation' refers to a group of middle-aged adults who are simultaneously caring for their own children and their ageing parents. They are essentially caught – or 'sandwiched' – between the responsibilities of supporting two different generations, including providing physical, emotional, and financial support. In Malaysia, most caregivers are informal or family members and according to the Department of Statistic Malaysia (DoSM) Labour Force Survey in February 2024, there are 7.23 million persons recorded as being outside the labour force, with the main reason being housework or family responsibilities. Keep in mind that there are also working individuals who take on a 'second shift' as caregivers after their regular working hours. Malay Mail has reached out to several caregivers, including those with special needs children, to share some of their experiences in providing care for their loved ones. A caregiver's journey Liew Chooi Mei is a mother of two children and has been an active volunteer for counselling NGO, Life Line Association Malaysia (LLAM), since 2014. Her mother, who had dementia, passed away in the same year she began volunteering at LLAM, just 14 years after her late father, who died of cancer. Both parents were cared for by Liew and her two siblings, who took turns caring for them. Liew admitted that her experience caring for her late mother was not a pleasant one and left her with regrets. This was partly due to her mother's worsening condition at the time, which eventually pushed Liew to her limits – leading to moments where she accidentally scolded her mother and even took to harming herself. 'Because we were not trained caregivers and we also get overwhelmed by our emotions. I thought I was good enough to take care of her because I used to work as a kindergarten teacher where I would normally take care of up to 30 children in a class sometimes. 'So I thought I had the patience but when dealing with my mom, especially after the hurtful things she said and the way she treated me – my patience just left me. 'Eventually I understood that was the dementia talking and she was not her true self, it changed her to a totally different person,' Liew said. During her caregiving journey, Liew mentioned that the counselling at LLAM has helped her a lot, especially in sharing her troubles. She felt luckier than others because she had a space to express herself and unload her emotional baggage while caring for her mother. She is now serving as the division leader for LLAM's public awareness programmes, continuing her mission to help caregivers provide quality and empathetic care through her numerous talks and seminars. She also shared a few pointers for caregivers: Let them talk and listen to what they have to say – Some might have something important to say, so it's important to lend them your ear While medication is one thing, taking the people you care about to some leisure activities could help lighten their mood Only a healthy caregiver can provide quality care – It is important for caregivers to take care of themselves first before taking care of others Caregivers may be limited by resources, so don't judge whether your actions are right or wrong – Your limits may hold you from giving your best to your family Getting respite care or sending your parents to daycare does not mean you've failed as a caregiver – It's okay to get some assistance Fulfilling yet demanding work Nurain Saiful Ahmad, 39, currently works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Putrajaya as an administrative and diplomatic officer. She is also a mother of two children, aged 12 and 14. In addition, she and her five siblings are caring for their parents. Her father, 69, has diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension, while her mother, 64, suffers from the same three illnesses and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 32. Nurain Saiful Ahmad (third from right) with her family. — Picture courtesy of Nurain Saiful Ahmad In 2021, her mother's condition worsened after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which left her wheelchair-bound and in need of close monitoring. Both of Nurain's parents are staying with her elder sister in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan and she would normally visit them twice a month. Although her elder sister is the primary caregiver, Nurain and her other siblings take turns visiting and caring for their parents, especially during Hari Raya or whenever their elder sister is unavailable or in need of a break. Nurain, who considers herself to be in a better financial position compared to her other siblings, spends around RM1,500 monthly on her parents' needs, including the monthly car loan payment for her father's vehicle, adult diapers, insulin needles, and more. She added that she volunteers her financial support because she doesn't want to burden her other siblings, especially the younger ones – her brother recently got married in May, while her youngest sister is still in the process of becoming financially independent. However, for more expensive medical needs and equipment, they usually divide the cost among themselves. 'I love taking care of both my parents and my children and at the same time, I am teaching my children to be independent which has been very helpful for both my husband and I. 'I feel like it's an honour to be able to provide basic needs to others and you know this is what you signed up for when you decide to get married and have children while your parents are ageing. 'I have never regretted this and I will continue to care for them for as long as I breathe. In fact, I even plan to volunteer at hospitals when I retire because I love taking care of sick people and I believe that you are at your most vulnerable state when you're sick and whatever help or assistance that you can get, would really support you to get through those difficult times,' Nurain said. When it comes to juggling her time between work, caring for her children, and looking after her parents, Nurain and her husband practice effective communication. For example, if she is too tired, her husband steps in for the rest of the day, and she returns the favour by covering for him the next day. Both Nurain and her husband utilise the calendar app on their phones – even to schedule 10 minutes of 'pillow talk', because they understand that even a short time together can make a big difference. Although her time is limited by her commitments, Nurain still manages to allocate some 'me time' for herself, whether it's taking a long nap, going for a walk in the park, or simply sitting in her reading chair at home. Her go-to activities also include playing badminton every Tuesday and karaoke, which she can easily do during her drive to work. Bittersweet acceptance Cason Ong Tzse Chun is 56 years old this year and is caring for his two special needs children with his wife, while also looking after his parents and an uncle. His daughter, 28, was diagnosed with developmental delay, while his son, 27, has autism. Cason Ong Tzse Chun and his family. — Picture courtesy of Cason Ong Tzse Chun Ong officially retired from his family's paper roll supply business in 2019 to spend more time with his children. He and his wife now run a small-scale homemade food business together to make ends meet. He is also active in volunteering with various organisations including serving as the National Autism Society Malaysia (Nasom) honorary secretary and Kiwanis Club Petaling Jaya's president. Speaking to Malay Mail, Ong said that his sister can be considered the primary caregiver for their parents, as they live closer to each other. However, Ong often takes turns with her to bring their parents to their medical appointments. Ong also takes care of his uncle, who previously lived alone but is now in a nursing home – a favour for his aunt, who is currently living in Singapore. Compared to what he has been through in the past, Ong describes his life as relatively smoother now. He recalled that he and his wife were expecting again a few years after their son was born. However, they made the decision to abort out of fear that their newborn wouldn't be able to live a quality life. 'You see, I already have two children with special needs, and let's say the third one came out normal – don't you think his or her life would be more stressful, having to take care of their brother and sister? The child would have no life,' he said. Sharing more about his children, Ong said that his son is currently working two part-time jobs, one of which is at a local speech therapy office in Puchong. He works as a general worker every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm. For the rest of the weekdays, he would work as a part timer at a restaurant which is owned by Ong's friend for about five hours per day. He also takes his daughter to the Lovely Disabled Home in Petaling Jaya on weekdays. The home is an NGO that provides job opportunities to physically and mentally challenged individuals aged 18 and above. The reason Ong encourages his children to work is not only to teach them how to earn a living and be independent, but also to help them adapt to the working environment. He sees it as valuable training, especially for his daughter, who has difficulty with fine motor skills. Patience and perseverance Caregiving is not just demanding work; it also requires a lot of patience, empathy, and, most of all, perseverance. It continues until the end. This is how 69-year-old Dorothy George Dass described her journey in raising her now 24-year-old son, Abraham Isaac Pereira, who was diagnosed with autism when he was six years old. Abraham Isaac Pereira (centre) together with his mother Dorothy George Dass (left) and his sister Denise Frances. — Picture by Hari Anggara Despite being on the autism spectrum, Abraham holds a diploma in Automotive Engineering and is currently working as a mechanic, with a lifelong dream of working for an F1 team in the future. This all did not happen overnight, Dorothy shared. It required a lot of repetitive work and hours of behavioural therapies which they managed to get at Nasom. 'There were a lot of frustrations in teaching, there's a lot of repetitive work. 'We couldn't just leave what we've learned from the teachers and therapies at the centre, we have to bring it home and continue it. 'We just have to keep repeating ourselves until he gets it right,' Dorothy said. Dorothy, who works as a senior operations admin at a local vending machine supplier company, added that she is grateful to have had employers who were very understanding of her situation. This was especially true when she had to go back and forth between dropping her son off at school and being present at some of his therapies and activities at Nasom, including choir classes and performances. * If you are lonely, distressed, or having negative thoughts, Befrienders offers free and confidential support 24 hours a day. A full list of Befrienders contact numbers and state operating hours is available here: There are also free hotlines for young people: Talian Kasih at 15999 (24/7); Talian BuddyBear at 1800-18-2327(BEAR)(daily 12pm-12am); Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Life Line Association Malaysia helpline at 15995 and Jakim's Family, Social and Community Care Centre (WhatsApp 0111-959 8214).

Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
RMAF to assess 38 Legacy Hornet jets in Kuwait this September, says chief
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will send a technical team to Kuwait in September to assess 38 F/A-18 Legacy Hornet fighter jets offered to Malaysia. RMAF Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris said that the mission received official approval from the United States, the country of origin of the aircraft, which then allowed access to documentation and maintenance records. 'The team will evaluate the jets on-site over two to three weeks. These are used aircraft, so we must assess long-term viability, particularly maintenance requirements. 'There's no point in acquiring a large fleet if we can't maintain them for operational readiness,' he told reporters after delivering his inaugural address as RMAF Chief at the Subang Air Base today. He added that delivery timelines would depend on when the Kuwaiti Air Force receives its new fleet of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. 'If they receive four new jets, four Legacy aircraft will be released to us, and so on,' he said. Also present were RMAF Deputy Chief Lt Gen Datuk Nur Hafis Abdul Karim, Air Operations Commander Lt Gen Datuk Masro Kaliwon, Air Education and Training Commander Lt Gen Datuk Muhammad Tarminzi Mustapha and Air Support Commander Maj Gen Ahmad Khusairi Ahmad Fadhli. — Bernama


Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
At least 19 killed after air force jet crashes in Bangladeshi campus
Firemen sprayed water on the mangled remains of the plane after the crash in Dhaka. (AP pic) DHAKA : At least 19 people were killed as a Bangladesh air force training aircraft crashed into a college and school campus in the capital city of Dhaka today, a fire services official said. More than 50 people, including children and adults, were hospitalised with burns, a doctor at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery told reporters. The incident occurred at the Milestone School and College in Dhaka's northern area of Uttara, officials said. 'Bangladesh air force's F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed in Uttara. The aircraft took off at 1.06pm,' the military's public relations department said in a statement. Videos of the aftermath of the crash showed a big fire near a lawn emitting a thick plume of smoke into the sky, as crowds watched from a distance. Firefighters sprayed water on the mangled remains of the plane, which appeared to have rammed into the side of a building, damaging iron grills and creating a gaping hole in the structure, Reuters TV visuals showed. 'A third-grade student was brought in dead, and three others, aged 12, 14 and 40, were admitted to the hospital,' said Bidhan Sarker, head of the burn unit at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where some victims were taken. Visuals also showed people screaming and crying as others tried to comfort them. 'When I was picking (up) my kids and went to the gate, I realised something came from behind… I heard an explosion. When I looked back, I only saw fire and smoke,' said Masud Tarik, a teacher at the school. Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh's interim government, said 'necessary measures' would be taken to investigate the cause of the accident and 'ensure all kinds of assistance'. 'The loss suffered by the air force… students, parents, teachers and staff, and others in this accident is irreparable,' he said. The incident comes a little over a month after an Air India plane crashed on top of a medical college hostel in neighbouring India's Ahmedabad city, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground, marking the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade.