New evidence reveals the heroic final moments of the Jeju Air flight crew as they battled to prevent catastrophe.
MBN News reported on Friday that investigators recovered torn pages from a Boeing 737 operating manual at the crash site, likely ejected from the aircraft upon impact. The document in question is the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH), a critical resource pilots rely on during emergencies. This 2,000-page manual is standard equipment on all aircraft, with two copies strategically placed within arm’s reach of the cockpit’s captain and first officer.
The recovered pages contained vital information for the Boeing 737-800, including minimum glide distances with landing gear deployed and procedures for water landings. Notably, these pages showed clear signs of being deliberately torn out. Aviation experts analyzing this evidence concluded that the captain likely made a valiant effort to land the aircraft safely, even after the complete engine failure.
Professor Ko Seung Hee, an aviation operations expert from Shilla University, theorized that the captain may have consulted the manual to assess their remaining flight capabilities and potential response options. Professor Kim Kwang Il, also from Shilla University, added that the crew likely had to quickly reference specific sections by tearing out relevant pages, given the time-critical nature of their emergency.
Footage captured in the final moments before impact corroborates this narrative of heroic effort. It shows the captain fighting to control the aircraft until the very end. The pilot, a veteran airman with over 6,800 flight hours and Air Force experience was renowned among his peers for his exceptional flying skills.
The aviation community and the public have greatly admired the crew’s actions. One commenter noted, “The captain’s unwavering commitment to his duty, desperately searching the manual for any chance to save his passengers, exemplifies the highest ideals of aviation professionalism.”
As the nation enters the sixth day of mourning, families of the victims gathered at a memorial site established at Muan International Airport, beginning another day of grief as they honored their lost loved ones.
Recovery efforts continue, with authorities reporting that as of this morning, the remains of 42 out of 179 victims have been processed and returned to their families. Many bereaved families remain at the airport, awaiting the return of multiple family members lost in the tragedy.
Officials expect the process of returning remains to continue as DNA analysis progressively confirms victim identities. Families are anxiously awaiting results from the National Forensic Service, hoping to receive their loved one’s remains in the best possible condition under these tragic circumstances.
Most Commented