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Victims’ Families Disrupt Interim Crash Briefing as Probe Faults Pilots

Families demanded full disclosure following private findings that cleared engines and placed primary blame on pilot errors.

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Overview

  • The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport canceled the July 19 interim engine‐analysis briefing at Muan International Airport after bereaved relatives stormed the press room in protest.
  • Investigators privately told families they found no defect in the CFM International engines, shifting the focus to crew mistakes such as shutting down the wrong engine after a bird strike.
  • DNA from Eurasian teal ducks discovered in both engines underpins the leading bird‐strike theory, but procedural deviations during the emergency landing now dominate the emerging narrative.
  • Flight recorders stopped capturing data about four minutes before impact, leaving critical information gaps that relatives say undermine any partial conclusions.
  • Authorities have paused public release of interim findings until comprehensive supporting documentation is provided and further consultations with victims’ families are complete.