Flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the South Korean passenger plane that tragically crashed last month ceased recording just four minutes prior to the disaster, according to the nation’s transport ministry. This devastating incident involving Jeju Air resulted in the deaths of 179 individuals, marking it as the most catastrophic air accident in Korean history, with only two cabin crew members surviving.
Investigators had anticipated that the information from the recorders would shed light on the critical moments leading up to the tragedy. The ministry has announced plans to thoroughly investigate the reasons behind the premature halt of the “black boxes.”
Initially examined domestically, the recorders were later sent to the United States for further analysis by American safety regulators after it was discovered that critical data was missing. The flight was en route from Bangkok on December 29 when it crash-landed at Muan International Airport, skidding off the runway and igniting a fire upon impact.
Sim Jai-dong, a former investigator with the transport ministry, expressed surprise over the loss of data from such crucial final minutes, suggesting a complete power failure, including the backup systems, may have occurred. Investigators are currently exploring various factors, including the possibility of a bird strike or adverse weather conditions. Additionally, they are scrutinizing why the Boeing 737-800 failed to deploy its landing gear upon touchdown.
