Investigators face a major hurdle as black box recordings from South Korea’s recent passenger jet crash stop four minutes before impact. Authorities pledge to uncover the cause despite the setback.
The US National Transportation Safety Board’s analysis revealed that data storage ceased in both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) moments before the plane hit a concrete mound housing a localiser, a system guiding aircraft to the runway centerline.
The incident occurred on December 29 at Muan International Airport, about 290 km southwest of Seoul. The Jeju Air jet, carrying 181 passengers and crew from Bangkok, skidded off the runway and collided with the localiser. Tragically, 179 passengers lost their lives, while two crew members were rescued.
Six minutes before the crash, air traffic control warned the plane of a potential bird strike. Four minutes later, the captain issued a Mayday call and announced plans to return to the airport.
The aviation railway accident investigation committee will focus on analyzing alternative data sources to uncover the cause of the crash and the black box malfunction. “We are committed to determining the truth behind this tragedy,” the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said.
