Ribbeck Law Investigates Jeju Air Flight 2216 Crash Following 737 Max Disasters

Ribbeck Law Chartered, a leading American aviation law firm, is investigating the causes of the tragic Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash. The firm previously initiated litigation against Boeing and represented the majority of victims in the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302 disasters.

As the criminal case against Boeing continues for the crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, Ribbeck Law Chartered has announced its intention to investigate the recent crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216. The crash occurred on December 29, 2024, in Muan, South Korea, claiming the lives of 179 passengers and crew.

During an interview from Chicago, Ribbeck Law attorney Holly Christianson, lead counsel in this matter, stated:
“Planes do not crash due to a single cause. These tragedies typically result from a combination of factors, such as weather, pilot error, and mechanical failure.”

Ms. Christianson added:
“Investigators must examine all possible causes and avoid focusing exclusively on a bird strike or issues related to runway design.”

She emphasized the importance of scrutinizing the aircraft itself, stating:
“Because Boeing is part of an ongoing criminal investigation in the United States, we cannot rule out potential mechanical issues with the aircraft.”

Ms. Christianson highlighted parallels to the Lion Air Flight 610 investigation, where initial blame was placed on pilots. “It wasn’t until our firm initiated legal action in the U.S. that it was revealed Boeing had failed to warn and properly train pilots about changes to the MCAS system,” she explained.

She also pointed out a potential conflict of interest, noting that Boeing is one of the parties involved in the investigation of Jeju Air Flight 2216.

Recent video evidence suggests that the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash at Muan International Airport may have involved mechanical failure, making a bird strike an unlikely cause. The aircraft carried 175 passengers and six crew members, with all but two lives tragically lost.

Ms. Christianson stressed the importance of the digital flight data recorder (DFDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) in determining the cause of the crash. She explained that under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, a preliminary report is typically released within 30 days of a crash. This report provides initial findings, including data from the DFDR and CVR, as well as basic facts about the flight and circumstances of the crash. However, preliminary reports do not determine causes or assign blame.

“The official investigation report will not assign blame, but it is our responsibility to file lawsuits against the liable parties,” Ms. Christianson stated. She emphasized that several critical questions remain unanswered and suggested that a bird strike is unlikely to have been the sole cause of the catastrophic failure.

Meanwhile, in the ongoing criminal case against Boeing in the United States, no agreement has been reached regarding a plea deal. At the request of victims’ families, negotiations between Boeing and the U.S. Department of Justice remain ongoing. Ribbeck Law Chartered has filed petitions on behalf of more than 65 clients from the two previous 737 Max 8 air disasters as part of this case.