CRASH | Pilot Error Blamed in Deadly Boeing 737-800 Crash in South Korea, 179 Dead

Seoul, July 22, 2025 — A devastating air tragedy has struck South Korea. Early findings from investigators suggest that human error played a key role in the crash of a Boeing 737-800 near Busan International Airport. The death toll stands at 179, with only two survivors pulled from the wreckage.

Bird Strike Triggered Engine Failure

According to preliminary data from the flight recorder and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), the aircraft — operated by EastAsia Air — encountered a large flock of birds during its final approach. The collision severely damaged one of the two engines, leading to a rapid loss of power.

Pilot Shut Down the Wrong Engine

But the most damning detail in the preliminary report by the Korean Aviation Authority (KAA) is what happened next. In the chaos of the emergency, the captain reportedly shut down the aircraft’s only functioning engine, mistakenly identifying it as the damaged one. With both engines offline, the aircraft became uncontrollable and crashed shortly thereafter.

“This was a critical misdiagnosis under pressure,” said Park Ji-Hoon, director of the KAA, during a press briefing Tuesday morning. “It turned a serious but survivable incident into a total catastrophe.”

Two Survivors in Critical Condition

Of the 181 people on board, only two survived — a flight attendant and a passenger seated near the rear of the aircraft. Both are currently in intensive care at Busan University Hospital. Their testimonies are expected to play an important role in the ongoing investigation.

Public Outcry and Investigations

South Korea’s Minister of Transport has confirmed a joint investigation with Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). EastAsia Air has grounded all domestic flights and issued a statement expressing its “deep sorrow and condolences to the families of the victims.”

The crash bears troubling similarities to the 2008 Spanair Flight JK5022 disaster, which was also linked to the incorrect shutdown of engines during takeoff.

A full investigation could take months, but public and regulatory pressure is mounting to overhaul pilot training standards, especially regarding emergency engine failure scenarios.