WHY did these pilots continue?? | Korean Air 801

On August 6, 1997, Korean Air Flight 801, a Boeing 747, tragically crashed while attempting to land in Guam, resulting in the deaths of 228 out of 254 passengers and crew members on board. The flight crew faced a series of critical errors during their approach, compounded by adverse weather conditions and equipment failures. The aircraft was unable to utilize its glide slope due to a malfunction, a fact that had not been adequately addressed in the pre-flight briefing.

Captain Park Yong-chul, who was fatigued from a demanding flight schedule, mismanaged the descent, believing he was closer to the runway than he actually was. The crew's reliance on outdated approach charts and their failure to recognize the terrain's proximity led to a catastrophic misjudgment. As they descended through heavy rain and clouds, the pilots did not see the runway lights and continued their approach despite warnings from the aircraft's systems.

The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation highlighted the need for improved crew resource management and threat and error management training. Recommendations included ensuring thorough briefings before instrument approaches and training crews to disregard erroneous instrument readings when navigation aids are known to be inoperative. The crash of Flight 801 serves as a somber reminder of the importance of situational awareness and communication in aviation safety.

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