1997-08-06
Korean Air
Flight KE801
Departure
Gimpo International Airport, Seoul, South Korea
Destination
Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam
Causation Breakdown
Recurrence Likelihood Today
Low
Korean Air's safety culture has been fundamentally transformed. EGPWS is now universal. NOTAM communications for out-of-service aids have been strengthened. CRM training on crew assertiveness is a global standard.
Summary
Korean Air 801 crashed into Guam's Nimitz Hill when the captain flew a non-precision approach believing the glideslope was active. Rain and darkness removed visual terrain cues. The first officer and engineer did not challenge the excessive descent. Of 254 aboard, 229 died. The accident became a landmark study in Korean cockpit authority culture and catalyzed a complete transformation of Korean Air's safety program.
Cause & Investigation
Determined cause
Controlled flight into terrain — glideslope misidentification
The captain mistakenly believed the instrument landing system glideslope was operational when it had been taken out of service for maintenance. He flew a visual descent profile without adequate terrain awareness. The first officer and flight engineer failed to challenge the descent rate. The aircraft struck Nimitz Hill 4.8 km short of the runway in heavy rain.
Investigation body
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), USA; Korean Ministry of Construction and Transportation.
Timeline & Safety Improvements
Flight KE801 disaster
Boeing 747-3B5 operating for Korean Air. 229 fatalities, 25 survivors.
Formal investigation opened
Conducted by: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), USA; Korean Ministry of Construction and Transportation.
Cause determined: Controlled flight into terrain — glideslope misidentification
The captain mistakenly believed the instrument landing system glideslope was operational when it had been taken out of service for maintenance. He flew a visual descent profile without adequate terrain awareness. The first officer and flight engineer failed to challenge the descent rate. The aircraft struck Nimitz Hill 4.8 km short of the runway in heavy rain.
Improvement implemented
Korean Air undertook a comprehensive cultural safety overhaul, including mandatory CRM training focused on challenging authority.
Improvement implemented
NOTAM dissemination procedures for out-of-service navigational aids were improved.
Improvement implemented
EGPWS fitment was accelerated across the Korean Air fleet.
Improvement implemented
The Korean government established stronger oversight of Korean airline safety culture.