Flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the Jeju Air flight that crashed in South Korea last month ceased recording four minutes before the crash, according to the country’s transport ministry. The crash, which took place on December 29, killed 179 people, marking it as the deadliest air accident on South Korean soil. Only two cabin crew members survived the disaster.
The “black boxes,” which could offer crucial insights into the final moments of the flight, were initially examined in South Korea. However, when investigators discovered that data was missing, the recorders were sent to the United States for further analysis by American safety regulators.
The flight, en route from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed at Muan International Airport, located in the southwestern part of South Korea. The Boeing 737-800 crash-landed and slid into a wall at the end of the runway before bursting into flames. The event has raised many questions regarding its cause and the circumstances surrounding the final moments of the flight.
Sim Jai-dong, a former transport ministry accident investigator, told Reuters that the loss of data from the crucial final minutes of the flight was unexpected. He speculated that the loss could have been caused by a complete power failure, including a possible shutdown of the backup power systems.
The investigation has yet to determine the exact cause of the crash, but investigators are considering several factors. Authorities have been exploring whether a bird strike or adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the disaster. Another key point of focus is the fact that the Boeing 737-800 did not have its landing gear deployed when it hit the runway, which has raised further questions about the aircraft’s control and the crew’s actions during the approach.
The transport ministry has confirmed that it will continue to examine the reasons behind the failure of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, as understanding these factors is crucial for preventing future tragedies. As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on uncovering the sequence of events that led to one of the deadliest crashes in South Korea’s history.
