San Francisco, - Asiana Airlines that crashed in San Francisco, US turned out to be steered by a pilot who is still in training using Boeing 777 aircraft. Although already an experienced pilot, but the pilot is not accustomed to using Boeing 777 jet engine.
"It was the maiden flight for Lee Kang Kook (pilot of Asiana) to the San Francisco airport using the 777 jet. He's still in training. Fact, a veteran also need training to use the new jet from Boeing," said a spokesman for Asiana Airlines, as reported by Asia One, Monday (07/08/2013).
According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, the aircraft was flying to low, well below the required speed. The crew had been trying to abort the landing, a few seconds before it hit the surface of the sea in front of the runway.
"He (The Pilot, Lee Kang Kook) was very experienced and had previously flown to San Francisco by using different aircraft including the Boeing 747 ... and he was assisted by other, more experienced pilot with a Boeing 777," said the spokesman.
Lee began his career as an apprentice in 1994 Asiana. Currently, he has picked up 9793 hours of flying, but only 43 hours of flight with Boeing 777 jets.
Meanwhile, co-pilot, Lee Jeong Min has had 12,287 flight hours, including 3,220 hours flying with the Boeing 777. And Lee Jeong Min helped Lee Kang Kook for landing at San Francisco.
NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman said it is too early to conclude whether the crash was caused by pilot error or mechanical problems. Hersman said there was no evidence of any problem until seven seconds before the plane crashed. Watchtowers also did not issue a warning signal to the plane problem.
According to eyewitnesses, the plane was seen flying too low before landing on Saturday (6/8) local time. Tail of the plane was destroyed by a hard impact when landing failed. Two people were killed in the crash.