International aviation legal team commences investigation into Jeju Air Flight 7C-2216 crash

On 29 December 2024, a Jeju Boeing 737-800 (Flight 7C-2216) from Bangkok, Thailand to Muan, South Korea, landed at Muan International Airport with its gear up – the aircraft failed to stop, and overran the runway, tragically killing all 175 passengers onboard. Four of the six crew members were also killed. This is the worst aviation accident in South Korea’s history, and it is also understood to be the greatest loss of life associated with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

A bird strike and technical issues have been suggested as potential causes, however, other related causes will likely emerge. One area of concern is the design and functionality of the Boeing EICAS (engine indicating and crew alerting system). 

Our international aviation lawyers James Healy-Pratt and Owen Hanna have joined a global team of US and South Korean aviation lawyers to independently investigate the causes of this tragedy. Aviation claims are often complex and require specialist legal advice to ensure bereaved families can be assisted throughout the investigation.

With over 33 years of international aviation legal experience, James and Owen have independently investigated hundreds of aviation accidents and recovered over US$1bn in settlements. They have also assisted passengers and families in aircraft overrun cases, including LOT Polish Airlines Flight 16 (involving a Boeing 767), and TACA Flight 390 in Honduras, and have significant experience of Korean aircraft accidents, including Korean Airlines Flight 007 and Korean Air Flight 801.

For more detailed information on the aviation litigation process, please read their article https://www.keystonelaw.com/keynotes/aviation-litigation-what-is-the-process.

If you have questions or wish to speak to James or Owen confidentially for assistance, please contact James Healy-Pratt or Owen Hanna.