Families of victims of the Jeju Air plane crash that occurred in December have filed a criminal complaint against 15 individuals, including South Korean government officials and airline safety representatives, alleging negligence and violations of aviation safety regulations, their lawyers announced on Tuesday.
The families, representing 72 of the victims from the December 29 Jeju Air crash, are initiating legal action against officials, including Transport Minister Park Sang-woo, accusing them of negligence in managing safety risks and violating the Aviation Safety Act.
The crash at South Korea’s Muan Airport resulted in the deaths of 179 people, making it the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil.
In a statement released by their lawyers, the bereaved families emphasized the need for a more comprehensive investigation into several key factors: the decision to attempt an immediate return to land following a bird strike, the maintenance of the aircraft’s engine, and the appropriateness of the runway embankment’s construction.
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The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 overshot the runway at Muan Airport during an emergency belly landing, crashing into an embankment containing navigation equipment (localizers). Only two of the 181 passengers and crew members on board survived.
