In a tragic event on December 29, a Jeju Air flight crashed at South Korea's Muan airport, resulting in the loss of 179 lives—the deadliest aviation disaster on South Korean soil.
Authorities revealed that both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder ceased operating approximately four minutes before the aircraft collided with a concrete structure. This unexpected interruption has posed significant challenges for investigators seeking to determine the cause of the crash.
The Boeing 737-800, operating as Jeju Air 7C2216, took off from Bangkok, Thailand, heading towards Muan in southwestern South Korea. During the final moments of the flight, pilots reported a bird strike, prompting an emergency declaration and an attempted go-around. However, instead of a standard maneuver, the aircraft made a sharp turn and approached the runway from the opposite end, leading to a crash landing without deploying the landing gear.
Initial analyses of the voice recorder in South Korea failed to retrieve critical data, leading to the equipment being sent to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board laboratory for further examination. The flight data recorder, which was extensively damaged, was also transported to the United States in collaboration with the U.S. safety regulator.
Former transport ministry accident investigator Sim Jai-dong commented that the missing data during the crucial final minutes was unexpected and might indicate a complete power loss, a rare occurrence in aviation incidents.
The transport ministry assures that the investigation will utilize all available data to uncover the factors leading to the crash. They emphasized their commitment to transparency and the sharing of information with the victims' families. However, some family members have expressed concerns, advocating for the inclusion of independent experts in the investigation to ensure impartiality.
Additionally, the design and placement of the embankment near the runway, intended to support the localizer system for aiding landings, are under scrutiny. Investigators aim to understand why it was constructed with such rigid materials and its proximity to the runway end.
As the investigation continues, the global community watches closely, hoping to glean insights that could prevent future tragedies and enhance aviation safety standards worldwide.
Reference(s):
Ministry: Jeju Air 'black box' data missing from minutes before crash
cgtn.com
