He was a former Air Force pilot with a lot of experience.
Koreaboo
New details have emerged about the pilot of the Jeju Air flight involved in a tragic accident on December 29th.
Captain Han was a 45-year-old pilot who had previously served in the Air Force and had over 6,800 flight hours under his belt. Serving as captain for the past five years, Captain Han was known among his colleagues for his professionalism and unwavering commitment to safety.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Captain Han began his career with Jeju Air in 2014 and was promoted to captain in 2019. Of his extensive flying experience, approximately 2,500 hours were spent as a captain.
Former colleagues remembered him as a skilled and disciplined pilot. An individual (referred to as Mr. Lee) who worked with Captain Han during his time as a flight instructor in 2012 described him as someone who strictly followed protocols and prioritized safety above all else.
I remember Captain Han (then an instructor) as someone who strictly adhered to regulations and procedures and never compromised when it came to safety. I first saw the latest news about the accident on the morning of December 29, and later found out that Captain Han was flying that plane. My heart felt like it was being torn to pieces.
Although the cause of the accident will only be clear after a thorough investigation, it appears that several worse conditions combined to cause this tragedy. I hope that MOLIT’s Air and Rail Accident Investigation Committee will quickly determine the exact cause.
— Mr. Lee
Another pilot who had flown with Captain Han also praised the late pilot and said footage of the crash suggested he maintained control of the plane until the end.
Captain Han was not only a skilled pilot but also diligent and a good person. It’s truly heartbreaking. Yesterday I heard the news about the accident during the flight and it was devastating.
Looking at the footage of the accident, it seems that Captain Han never let go of control until the end. There is a maneuver called reverse thrust to reduce speed, and he appears to have continued using it until the moment of impact. Thinking about what must have been going through his mind in those final moments is incredibly painful.
– Captain A
“Captain A” also directly called out those who blamed the pilot without yet fully understanding the situation.
I saw a news report accusing Captain Han of failing to dump fuel, but the plane involved in the accident does not have this capability. I know this because I use the same model.
– Captain A
May he rest in peace.
